Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Good fishermen know that different types of fish like different types of bait.   Some are attracted to bright colors, while others are drawn to a particular smell.

We see something similar in our call to be fishers of men.   God has selected a diverse assortment of men and women.   Their particular gifts give each of his followers their own particular appeal to different audiences.   God uses each one differently.   For instance, St. Andrew used his friendliness and his family connection to bring his brother, Simon, to Jesus.

God values our uniqueness.  He can use all of us.   He deliberately created us with distinct talents and personalities.   He even helps us learn from our mistakes so that we can use our full life experience—successes and failures—to build his Church.   By simply following Jesus—gifts, warts and all—we can attract people who appreciate our unique perspective.   Like Andrew, we can lead them to Jesus.

While Andrew was not as well-known as his brother, Peter, he played an important role in the early Church.   A simple fisherman, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist.   His heart must have yearned to be close to God.   Andrew began following Jesus after John identified Jesus as the “Lamb of God”.   It seems that Andrew was approachable and easy to talk to. In the middle of a huge crowd, he somehow knew the boy whose bread and fish became the supply for one of Jesus’ miracles.   When Philip wanted Jesus to speak to some Greek Jews, he first consulted Andrew.   And tradition tells us that after the resurrection, Andrew traveled to modern-day Greece and Turkey, making friends and sharing the gospel.   Andrew’s humble ability to connect with people blessed the Church right up to the day he died a martyr’s death.

Rejoice that God has given you a unique mission—one that only you can fill.   Your life may not be recorded in Scripture, but like Andrew, you can have a ripple effect beyond what you see.

word among us