First to be called, first to bear witness

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 4:18-22.
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them,
and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.


Commentary of the day : Saint John Chrysostom
First to be called, first to bear witness

How good and how pleasant it is, brethren dwelling in unity» (Ps 131[132],1)... Andrew, having stayed with Jesus (Jn 1,39) and learned what he did, would not keep the treasure for himself but made haste and ran quickly to his brother, Simon Peter, to share with him the good things he had received ... Observe what he says to his brother: «We have found the Messiah, (which is translated 'Anointed')» (Jn 1,41). Do you see what fruit he learned in so short a time? This proves both the authority of the Teacher who has taught his disciples and also their keenness to know it right from the beginning.

Andrew's haste, and his eagerness to share such good news at once, suggests a soul burning to see the fulfilment of so many prophecies concerning the Messiah. It shows true brotherly friendship, deep affection and a simple nature, full of sincerity, that he should share his spiritual riches in this way... «We have found the Messiah» he says. Not 'a messiah' – just any messiah – but 'the Messiah', the very one we have been waiting for.