Meeting Perfection

Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22

Years ago, I trained alongside a deacon at a nursing home. Perfectionist that I am, I remember thinking that things felt all wrong. For one thing, we held our service in a room that was too busy; there must be a better place. For another, it was close to lunch; there must be a better time. Worst of all, as I tried to talk to the people, I realized that I wasn’t very good at it; maybe what I had to give wasn’t enough and I should stop trying.

Today’s feast is exactly the right one for someone like me, for although St. Andrew appears in few places in Scripture, he has something very important to teach us about discipleship and seeking perfection. The lesson comes in three stories.

The first we just heard. As Andrew was at work, going about his daily business, Jesus passed by and called him. Immediately, he and his brother got up and followed. The second was when the Apostles were trying to figure out how to feed a large multitude, and Andrew introduced Jesus to a boy with five barley loaves and two fish (John 6:9). In the final story, Andrew introduced some Greek-speaking people to Jesus, who mysteriously replied that the hour for him to be glorified had come (John 12:20-23).

The perfectionist in me sees problems with each story. Jesus came to Andrew at work; wasn’t there a better place, like maybe the local synagogue? As for introducing those curious Greeks, this wasn’t long after Jesus raised Lazarus and the Jewish authorities were gunning for him. Surely, this was no time for introductions but for getting Jesus out of town. And wasn’t the kid with the loaves and fish the wrong person? Even Andrew wondered what good those were for so many (John 6:9).

Well he may wonder, but as he came to learn, he didn’t need to have it all figured out. What he needed was faith; as St. Paul said, to believe in his heart that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9-10). Clearly, Andrew had faith in abundance! With faith in his heart, it didn’t matter where he met Christ, meeting him was enough; it didn’t matter when people asked to meet Jesus, asking was enough; it didn’t matter how many loaves and fish the boy had to give, giving was enough.

As Andrew learned and these stories teach us, Christ isn’t looking for perfection; he is perfection. What he wants is our faith and effort. Given that, he will make the meeting place perfect, the time perfect, the gifts perfect, and will bring those who have faith in him to perfection; in St. Paul’s words, enriching all who call upon him (Romans 10:12).

At the end of each Mass, we are told to go; as apostles, we are sent. In every situation of daily life that awaits us lie the same temptations I mentioned at the beginning: Wherever we are is the wrong place; whatever time, the wrong time; we, the wrong people. The example of St. Andrew reminds us that the opposite is true. For those who hold fast to faith in our hearts, there is no wrong place, no wrong time, and we are never the wrong people. God has chosen us, empowered us, and gives us many opportunities to make a difference for the better. Let us take advantage of every one of them.

St. Andrew, pray for us.

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