On the Western Church calendar, St. Andrew is either the last or the first saint commemorated in the church year. Advent I is the Sunday closest to his feast. Andrew and his brother Simon Peter were disciples of John the Baptist (John 1:35) who became early followers of Jesus (Matthew 4:18). In fact, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus (John 1:37). Post-biblical stories say that he was martyred in Achaia, and a medieval tradition adds that he was crucified in the form of an X (hence the St. Andrew's Cross).
The example of St. Andrew illustrates two important points. 1) Andrew is a person who responds to Jesus immediately and dedicates himself completely. 2) Andrew is also a reminder about the need for humble Christian witnesses. Andrew is not the obvious kind of leader that his brother Peter is. His witness is quieter and more one-on-one. Yet, Andrew is the one who brings his brother to Christ, and without him, the Church might not benefit from Peter's enthusiastic leadership.All of us can not be the kind of leaders that Peter was, but our faith and witness are still valuable in Christ's kingdom. Day in and day out, the Church also needs the Andrews. It needs those who talk to others and bring them to Christ. May Andrew's example motivate all of us!
No comments:
Post a Comment