Catholic Saints Podcast: St. Andrew the Apostle

Host: Mary McGheen
Guest: Dr. Ben Akers
Producer: Augustine Institute
Original Release: November 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the life, calling, scriptural presence, and spiritual legacy of St. Andrew the Apostle. Host Mary McGheen and scripture scholar Dr. Ben Akers explore St. Andrew’s biography, his pivotal role as “the great introducer” to Christ, his humility, martyrdom, and relevance for contemporary believers. The tone is accessible, warm, and contemplative, inviting personal reflection and practical application.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biographical Background and Scriptural Presence

[01:14–02:10]

• Andrew in Scripture:

  • Appears in all four Gospels.
  • Listed prominently among the Twelve Apostles ("second in two gospels, fourth in Mark and Acts").
  • Brother of Simon Peter, both fishermen.

• Unique Fact:

  • Andrew has a Greek name, while Simon’s is Hebrew.
  • Signifies Hellenistic influence in their Galilean Jewish family.

Quote:

“Simon is a Hebrew name and Andrew’s a Greek name. It’s very interesting to have two brothers in the same family...living up in Galilee...Greek language-based, Greek culture. So there’s even an openness to Greek culture in their own family.”
— Dr. Ben Akers [03:38]

2. The Call of Andrew: Scriptural Scenes

[02:28–06:10]

• Matthew’s Account:

  • Jesus calls Andrew and Peter while they are fishing (Matthew 4:18–20).
  • Immediate, decisive response: they “left their nets and followed him.”

  Insight:
  Andrew’s open, practicing Jewish faith made him receptive to Jesus’ call. The call contains vision, mission, and a moment of decision.

• John’s Account:

  • Andrew originally follows John the Baptist, who directs followers to Jesus (“Behold, the Lamb of God”—John 1:35–42).
  • Andrew is first to recognize and proclaim Jesus as Messiah and then brings Simon Peter.

Quote:

“There’s always sometimes that kind of the drop the nets moment...I’m leaving this to then go follow you and be a disciple.”
— Dr. Ben Akers [04:35]

• Spiritual Application:
  Each call story invites listeners to consider their own “drop the nets” moment of conversion.

Quote:

“He gives us the vision of where he wants us to follow him...But he also gives us the sense...I will make you a fisherman...We have to be created and formed in such a way, discipled to learn how to do the things that Jesus wants us to do.”
— Dr. Ben Akers [05:28]

3. Andrew as “The Introducer”

[12:12–18:09]

• Consistent Pattern:

  • Andrew repeatedly introduces others to Christ:
    • Simon Peter to Jesus (John 1:41).
    • The boy with loaves and fishes (John 6:8–9).
    • Greeks who “wish to see Jesus” (John 12:20–22).

• Notable Observation:

  • Fulton Sheen called Andrew “the great introducer.”

Quote:

“He’s known, so built into his apostolic spirit to want to go and tell others about Jesus. And here in John’s Gospel is the first scene where he does that. He first goes and tells his brother Simon.”
— Dr. Ben Akers [13:12]

4. Old Testament Connections: “Behold the Lamb of God”

[09:56–12:09]

• Why were John’s words, “Behold the Lamb of God,” significant to Andrew?
  • Dr. Akers traces the motif from Genesis (Abraham/Isaac), to Temple sacrifice, to Isaiah’s suffering servant, culminating in Jesus as the prophesied Lamb of God.

Quote:

“Everyone’s looking for the lamb that God will provide that will be sacrificed on this mountain...So God provided a ram on that mountain...but it’s not a lamb...When then Mount Moriah becomes...the same mountain range as Mount Calvary. Okay, so God does provide the Lamb for sacrifice on the same mountain.”
— Dr. Ben Akers [11:59]

5. Andrew’s Personality: Humility and Background Role

[18:09–21:53]

• Humility:
  • Andrew brings Peter but quietly recedes from the spotlight, not in the innermost circle (Peter, James, John).

Quote:

“How would you feel if you were the one who found Jesus and you go and tell others about Jesus and now you’re not in the inner circle?”
— Dr. Ben Akers [18:29]

• Spiritual Reflection:

  • Personal application through the Litany of Humility—willingness to let others be holier as long as one becomes holy as God intends.

• Newman’s Sermon Reference:

  • “The World’s Benefactors”: greatness often goes unrecognized, as with Andrew.

6. The Death and Legacy of St. Andrew

[22:03–24:59]

• Post-Ascension Mission:
  • Traditions place Andrew’s evangelization in Greece and possibly as far as Russia, Romania, or Ukraine.
  • Martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece, around 60 AD—requested not to mirror Christ’s crucifixion exactly.

Quote:

“He’s crucified and he says, I’m not worthy to be crucified like my Lord. And so they crucify him on an X-shaped cross.”
— Dr. Ben Akers [23:08]

• Patronages and Relics:
  • Patron of Constantinople and the Army Rangers (“Rangers lead the way”).
  • Relics dispersed: body in Amalfi (Italy), head returned to the Patriarch of Constantinople (by Pope Paul VI as an ecumenical gesture).

7. Liturgical and Spiritual Significance

[25:20–26:41]

• Feast Day:
  November 30th—close to the start of Advent; a model for preparation and introducing others to Christ.

• Spiritual Takeaway:

  • Andrew exemplifies following Christ’s initiative, responding where we are, and inviting others to encounter the Lord.
  • His story encourages humility and contentment in serving “behind the scenes.”

Quote:

“He’s the one who introduces people to Jesus. The whole Advent season is...waiting for the coming of Christ. And so Andrew’s just a great patron for Advent...prepare myself to meet Jesus and then...introduce others to Jesus.”
— Dr. Ben Akers [26:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being called:
  “There’s always sometimes that kind of the drop the nets moment where like now I’m leaving this to then go follow you and be a disciple.”
  — Dr. Ben Akers [04:35]

• Old Testament expectation:
  “Everyone’s looking for the lamb that God will provide that will be sacrificed on this mountain...”
  — Dr. Ben Akers [11:59]

• Andrew as Introducer:
  “Fulton Sheen called him the great introducer.”
  — Dr. Ben Akers [13:12]

• On humility:
  “We don’t always know their names...sometimes...the world’s benefactors...those that we don’t always know their name. And so Andrew is that humility and that humble person behind.”
  — Dr. Ben Akers [20:45]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:14–02:10] — Andrew’s biographical background and scriptural presence
• [02:28–06:10] — The calling of Andrew in Matthew and John
• [09:56–12:09] — “Behold the Lamb of God” and Old Testament meaning
• [13:12–14:58] — Andrew brings people (Peter, the boy in John 6) to Jesus
• [17:15–18:09] — Greeks seeking Jesus and Andrew’s pivotal introduction
• [18:29–21:53] — Andrew’s humility and spiritual lessons
• [22:03–24:59] — Missionary journeys, martyrdom, and legacy
• [25:20–26:41] — Liturgical placement and Advent application

Final Spiritual Reflections

• St. Andrew models the receptive, humble, and evangelizing disciple: open to being called, happy to introduce others to Christ without seeking the spotlight.
• His feast—at the outset of Advent—invites believers to prepare their hearts and to help others encounter the Lord.

St. Andrew, pray for us!