Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Andrew

Illuminated Manuscript - the Calling of Peter and Andrew, by Master of the Brussels Initials. ©The John Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 30 November 2023
Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.' And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.

Reflection on the Illuminated Manuscript Page

Our beautiful illuminated manuscript page is taken from a missal commissioned by Cosimo de' Migliorati, bishop of Bologna and cardinal. The missal was executed sometime between 1389 and 1404, the year in which he was elevated to the papacy as Innocent VII. This missal was probably used by the cardinal himself at the altar as he celebrated Mass. The three illuminations are very finely executed. The top band shows the calling of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew (our Gospel reading today). Jesus stands on the shore, raising his right hand, calling them to follow him and become fishers of men. The two apostles turn towards Jesus with expressions of surprise and amazement. As the boat continues to sail towards the shore, Peter has already dropped his oar and folded his hands in prayer. He is ready and has made up his mind. Andrew, standing behind him, is still holding on to his net, but his eyes are already firmly locked on Jesus.

Below the miniature, Andrew appears in the initial D, for Dominus (Lord), holding the cross upon which he was crucified. Below, Saint Peter appears in the initial Q holding a massive key, the key of the Church entrusted to him by Jesus.

This miniature page opens the section of the missal called the Sanctorale. The sanctorale is also known as the 'proper of the Saints', with 'proper' in the sense of that part of the Eucharist which is 'appropriate' (and, therefore varies) according to the calendar of the saints.

Andrew is always listed second in the list of the twelve apostles, after his brother, Simon Peter. Gathering people into the net of God's kingdom proclaimed by Jesus is much more complicated than gathering fish into fishing nets. They knew that even before they said yes. Yet they quickly overcame whatever hesitation they might have had. We are not too dissimilar to Andrew and Peter. Jesus often calls us out to us in the midst of our daily tasks. He frequently calls us beyond where we are, beyond the familiar, inviting us to take on some new task in the service of the coming of God's kingdom. Today, on the feast of Saint Andrew, we pray that we may have a similar generosity of response as him. We know how powerfully the Lord can work through our generosity of spirit... and achieve amazing things for the sake of his kingdom.

Note: This beautiful page can be seen much larger on the link below.)

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-4-18-22-2023/