In all of the lists, the first followers of Jesus are two sets of brothers: Peter and Andrew, James and John. In St. John’s Gospel Andrew is portrayed as a follower of John the Baptist who brought his brother, Peter, to meet Jesus. For that reason in the Greek Church he is known as Protocletos, the first called. During the public ministry of Jesus only three of these brothers — Peter, James and John — form the inner circle of companions. Andrew is not included. I wonder if he resented that? Maybe that serves as a reminder that we all have different gifts that God uses in different ways. We should rejoice in the contributions we can make without reference to what others are able to do.
