As the Priest-in-Charge, designate, of St Andrew's Church, South Croydon, to be licensed on Tuesday 4th December I have been reflecting on Andrew's charisms and message for the Church in our own day.
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| Icon of St Andrew, hanging in my study |
Happy St Andrew’s Day to you all!
We honour Andrew today, for he is named by Christ as one of
the twelve apostles (Matthew 10.2): ‘On
the foundation stones of the heavenly city are written the names of the
apostles of the Lamb’ (Magnificat Antiphon for the feast of an Apostle [Common Worship: Daily Prayer])
Andrew was originally one of the disciples of John the
Baptist and heard John declare of Jesus, ‘Behold the Lamb of God’ (John 1.40).
Andrew quickly heard the call of Christ, bringing his
brother Peter with him, the Rock on whom Christ built the Church (John 1.41-42).
Andrew had a gift for bringing others to Christ.
Andrew valued young people coming to Jesus and shows they
have a part to play. He noticed the boy with two loaves and fishes which were
multiplied in the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand (John 6.8-11).
Andrew worked with others as a partner in revealing who
Jesus was and is. With Philip, Andrew brought the Greek enquirers to Jesus (John 12.20-22). Christ reveals to them
the mystery of his passion. Andrew went on to share in that passion as a martyr
for Christ, himself crucified.
Please pray with St Andrew for the churches, nations, schools and
people for whom he is their patron: St Andrew, pray for us.
May the gifts of Andrew of encouraging the young, bringing
others to Christ and being marked with the Sign of the Cross be ours, this day
and always. Amen.
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