November 30th - St. Andrew the Apostle
- From: "Traudel" <hildegard8@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:37:13 -0600
November 30th - St. Andrew the Apostle
(also known as Andreas,
1st century; feast day formerly on November 3; feast of his translation, May
9. Andrew was a worrier, or so it seems, who concentrated on details. He
wanted to know where Jesus lived (John 1:38), how they were going to feed a
crowd (John 6:9), and when Jerusalem would be destroyed (Mark 13:4). Born
at Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee, Andrew was a fisherman, the son of the
fisherman John, and the brother of the fisherman Simon Peter. It's no wonder
then that Jesus called Andrew to be a fisher of men (Mark 1:16-18). Jesus
stayed with the brothers at their second home in Caparnaum (Mark 1:29), so
they must have been prosperous fishermen, which makes their commitment even
more amazing.
It's appropriate that we celebrate Saint Andrew's feast at the beginning of
Advent because he was first a disciple of John the Baptist, and, when he met
the Lord of Creation at Jesus' baptism in the Jordan, he became Jesus' first
disciple (John 1:29-40). Let's ask Saint Andrew to bring us anew to the Lord
as he also brought his brother Peter (John 1:41-42). For a time Andrew and
Simon followed Jesus intermittently, but when the Savior returned to
Galilee, he called them from fishing into ministry and they "dropped their
nets immediately and followed Him (Matt. 4:20) (may we, too, as quickly drop
our work to follow when the Lord calls). They left their families, their
business, and their possessions.
With Philip, he presented the Gentiles to Christ (John 12:20-22) and pointed
out the boy with the loaves and fishes (John 6:8). After the Pentecost he is
said to have preached the gospel in many regions, including Scythia
(according to Eusebius), Epirus (according to Saint Gregory Nazianzen), or
Achaia (per Saint Jerome). An ancient legend preserved in the Old English
poem Andreas (once attributed to Cynewulf) has him preaching in Ethiopia. A
later dubious tradition has him going to Byzantium, where he appointed Saint
Stachys bishop.
Andrew is one of the few early disciples of Jesus about whom there are few
legends. Rather than miraculous legends the story of Saint Andrew is the
story of the Apostles. We always want extraordinary saints, and we are
surprised to find that even among the Apostles there was one whose life was
without miracles. Most saints have lived a simple, everyday life, sometimes
miraculous, but only sometimes. Saint Andrew is just another indication that
we, too, can live a simple, everyday life and still be saints. We, too, can
live a life that is hidden in God and in His Church.
It's uncertain where and how he died except that it was somewhere near the
Black Sea, but an ancient tradition (4th century Acta) says he was crucified
at Patras in Achaia on an X- shaped cross (now known as a Saint Andrew's
Cross). This tradition tells us that the proconsul tied him to the cross
where he remained for several days preaching to all who came to watch the
execution. And the tradition of his martyrdom at Patras was based on an
early medieval forgery, strengthened by the translation of his alleged
relics from Patras. The forgery was intended to provide a counterweight to
Rome's more solid claim to the relics of Saints Peter and Paul.
There is an unfounded tradition that he preached in Russia, reaching as far
as Kiev in the Ukraine, from where the conversion of the country spread in
the 11th century. He is also considered to be a patron of Scotland, where
another tradition says some of his relics were brought in the 4th century in
consequence of a dream of Saint Rule (Regulus), who was custodian of
Andrew's relics at Patras. Reportedly an angel guided Rule to a place called
Saint Andrew's, where Regulus built a church to house the relics, became its
first bishop, and evangelized the Scots in the area for three decades. The
church became a center of pilgrimage. Crusaders stole Andrew's alleged body
in 1210 and took them to Amalfi, which still claims the relics. The head,
considered one of the treasures of Saint Peter's, was given to Pope Pius II
by the despot Thomas Palaeologus in 1461, but was returned to Constantinople
by Pope Paul VI.
Andrew's feast was universal in the West from the 6th century. There are
church dedications in his honor from early times in France, Italy, and
England (at Rochester as early as 637). (Attwater, Attwater 2, Benedictines,
Bentley, Coulson, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer, White).
Saint Andrew is generally pictured as an old man, generally with a book and
transverse or saltire cross. Sometimes the image may contain (1) fish or a
fishing net; (2) rope; (3) Andrew sitting in a boat (Roeder). In the most
ancient images, he is depicted with a normal Latin cross. The X-cross was
associated with him from the 10th century at Autun, but became common only
in the 14th century (Farmer). There are several images available on the
Internet:
He is the patron of Avranches, Brabant, Brunswick, Burgundy, Holstein,
Luxembourg, Minden, Pesaro, Yetminster, Russia, Scotland, and Greece. He is
the protector of fishermen, fishmongers, and sailors. He is invoked against
gout and stiff-neck (Delaney, Roeder).
Reflection: If we would do good to others, we must, like Saint Andrew,
receive our cross with loving gratitude and not desire to be separated from
it, until God so wills. To "take up our cross" is Jesus' command; are we
perhaps dragging ours?
Saint Quote:
The Divine Office is the school of all virtues. The master who teaches us
in it is the Holy Ghost, the source of all truth; it is also the Prophets,
Apostles, and Saints of God.
-St. Vincent de Paul
Bible Quote
18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in
heaven and in earth. 19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and
behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
(Matthew 28:18-20)
<><><><>
Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead
"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand
of the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.
NINTH DAY
The just die members of the Church and so continue. They remain united with
us as well as with God by Faith, Hope and Charity. Therefore we should
assist them as one member assists another.
Prayer: Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.
De Profundis
Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful
forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word; my soul
hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy;
And with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from
all its iniquities.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them:
May they rest in peace. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy terrible agony in the Garden, we beseech Thee to
have pity on the Souls in Purgatory, particularly the soul who has the most
to suffer through us. Deliver it from the torments, that it may join the
heavenly throng in forever glorifying Thee.
Also See:
http://www.dailycatholic.org/deprofun.htm
.
- Prev by Date: November 30th - Sts. Sapor, Isaac & Comp. BM (AC)
- Next by Date: Re: Hey malkin - I Dumped Duke Because...
- Previous by thread: November 30th - Sts. Sapor, Isaac & Comp. BM (AC)
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
