St. Andrew
I've always been fond of St. Andrew..... in part because of his ruggedness and in part because he was responsive to the faith within himself.
He had been a close devotee of John the Baptist. Yet, on the encouragement of the Baptist, Andrew (according to the Gospel of John) left John to follow the Lamb of God. He is mentioned as first calling Jesus Rabbi - teacher. Andrew stayed with Jesus that day and encouraged Simon - eventually called Peter - to follow the magnetic Rabbi as well.
I have a feeling that Andrew's witness and preaching were sincere, heartfelt and salty in nature, the flair he brought with him from his trade as a fisherman. There are times when the fashioning of language can bring one to tears - just as often, the heartfelt, even clumsy testimony of a man whose spirit - whose life -had been opened and turned inside out would have been eloquent as well.
Andrew met the martyrs fate of most of the Apostles yet he probably faced it bravely (legend has it) with this weathered face to the wind, upside down, crucified on a cross in the shape of a great X. Andrew's is the last major feast of the liturgical year.
On 1 December we remember Nicholas Ferrar, deacon whose life (and the lives of the members of his short-lived religious community at Little Gidding (UK) led auster lives in order to store a church which had been in ruins, provide for their neighbors - particularly children - offer schooling and the preparation of 'harmonies' for the Gospel.
December 2 is the Feast of Bishop Channing moore Williams, first missionary Bishop to China and Japan. Born in Richmond, Virginia he attended the College of William and Mary and then Virginia Theological Seminary. Ordained a Deacon in 1855 he work for two years in China while becoming a priest. In 1857 he was sent to open work in Japan and in 1866 was chosen Bishop of China and Japan. His heart was with the Japanese people and after 1868 he focused most of his time in what would become Tokyo opening a divinity school later known as St. Paul's university.
There are so many saints among us! Pick up a copy of the recent edition of Lesser Feasts and Fasts and learn about those faithful folks who have gone before us, blazing some trails or at least making paths were no paths had been.
Also found in LFF are daily readings for Advent (which could be done in conjunction w/an Advent wreath) daily readings for Lent, Holy Week and the Easter Season (all 7 weeks). If you don't have one on hand, see whether your pastor or parish library may give you a peek at it at some time. Very interesting reading!
He had been a close devotee of John the Baptist. Yet, on the encouragement of the Baptist, Andrew (according to the Gospel of John) left John to follow the Lamb of God. He is mentioned as first calling Jesus Rabbi - teacher. Andrew stayed with Jesus that day and encouraged Simon - eventually called Peter - to follow the magnetic Rabbi as well.
I have a feeling that Andrew's witness and preaching were sincere, heartfelt and salty in nature, the flair he brought with him from his trade as a fisherman. There are times when the fashioning of language can bring one to tears - just as often, the heartfelt, even clumsy testimony of a man whose spirit - whose life -had been opened and turned inside out would have been eloquent as well.
Andrew met the martyrs fate of most of the Apostles yet he probably faced it bravely (legend has it) with this weathered face to the wind, upside down, crucified on a cross in the shape of a great X. Andrew's is the last major feast of the liturgical year.
On 1 December we remember Nicholas Ferrar, deacon whose life (and the lives of the members of his short-lived religious community at Little Gidding (UK) led auster lives in order to store a church which had been in ruins, provide for their neighbors - particularly children - offer schooling and the preparation of 'harmonies' for the Gospel.
December 2 is the Feast of Bishop Channing moore Williams, first missionary Bishop to China and Japan. Born in Richmond, Virginia he attended the College of William and Mary and then Virginia Theological Seminary. Ordained a Deacon in 1855 he work for two years in China while becoming a priest. In 1857 he was sent to open work in Japan and in 1866 was chosen Bishop of China and Japan. His heart was with the Japanese people and after 1868 he focused most of his time in what would become Tokyo opening a divinity school later known as St. Paul's university.
There are so many saints among us! Pick up a copy of the recent edition of Lesser Feasts and Fasts and learn about those faithful folks who have gone before us, blazing some trails or at least making paths were no paths had been.
Also found in LFF are daily readings for Advent (which could be done in conjunction w/an Advent wreath) daily readings for Lent, Holy Week and the Easter Season (all 7 weeks). If you don't have one on hand, see whether your pastor or parish library may give you a peek at it at some time. Very interesting reading!
posted by Joanna Depue | 2:52 AM
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