The first ministers were the twelve disciples. There is no evidence that Jesus chose them because they are brighter or nicer than other people. Their sole qualification seems to have been their initial willingness to rise to their feet when Jesus said, "Follow me."

It is only because he became like us that we can become like him. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer: (1906 – 1945: was a German pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident,

Gospel Text: (MT 4:18-22)

As Jesus 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.

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles.

In the listing of the apostles, Andrew is always mentioned as one of the first four.Peter, Andrew, James, and John.... They were all different. They were all needed. 

Just as each of us is different……... but needed just the same.

"At the day of Doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. It will not be said then, Did you believe? But, Were you doers, or talkers only?"

“I’ve had enough of someone else’s propaganda… I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” ― Malcolm X, The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Gospel Text: (LK 21:20-28)

Jesus said to his disciples:
"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
know that its desolation is at hand.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
for these days are the time of punishment
when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,
for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth
and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword
and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand."

Many people find the idea of the end of the world very frightening, especially when it’s dramatized in literature or film. The drama is enhanced by the physical destruction of worldly monuments and temples. But physical destruction, no matter how vast the scale, pales in comparison to the destruction of a single human soul.

"We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way."— St. Francis of Assisi

“Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.”

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” ― Winston Churchill, Never Give In!: The Best of Winston Churchill's Speeches

Gospel Text: (LK 21:12-19)

Jesus said to the crowd:
"They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus declares to His disciples, “By perseverance you will secure your lives.” What does this mean? Every day, God calls us to offer Him our lives in faith, and to live for others. That’s how we can reach the hour of our death in God’s sight. In the end, C. S. Lewis once explained, there are two types of persons: those who say in the end: “Heavenly Father, thy will be done”, and those to whom the Father will have to say, “My child, thy will be done.”

"Seducers are more dangerous enemies to the church than persecutors."

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – St Matthew (Born 1^stCentury: also known as Saint Matthew and as Levi) was, according to the Christian Bible, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to Christian tradition, one of the four Evangelists.)

Gospel Text: (LK 21:5-11)

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,' and 'The time has come.'
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky."

Today's chaotic world mirrors Jesus' ominous predictions. Persecution, distrust and hate proliferate among peoples and nations. We live in confusion and uncertainty. Justice and equality are at risk among so many.

But we trust in Jesus' words as his followers have done so through two millennia. We continue to look for opportunities to bear witness and stand for truth. We continue to trust in Christ's promise and support.

How strong is our faith in Christ? Are we firm in believing in his promise of redemption despite so many trials and dark times? Are we able to persevere through adversity to find ourselves?