Feast of Saint Andrew

The martyrdom of Saint Andrew

For the Mass readings

From the Gospel according to John: Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of hte two who heard John [the Baptist] and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which can be translated Anointed [in Latin Christus]). Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter). (chapter 1 verses 40-2)

I have a great devotion to Andrew. It is not just because there are at least three great churches dedicated to him in Rome, one of which is on my way to lectures this morning. Nor is it that his body is one of the five principle relics at Saint Peter's. It is rather that I see him as a great model for who I should be as a priest. Really who all of us should be as Christians, baptized to be apostles of the Lord.

Christ is living. He was alive, and Andrew and Peter met him in the flesh (in caro), and we can say so easily that since we do not live when Peter and Andrew lived, we cannot know him. The best we can do is know about him. How sad this would be, and we rejoice it is not true. At Easter we proclaim, Christ lives! So Christ is as alive for us here and now, as he was for Andrew and Peter.

Andrew did not try to explain to his brother, who Christ was. Rather he lead him to Jesus. Andrew wanted Peter to know Christ. As the priest, I hope that at one level I can share the who and the what of Christ, but better and greater than that, I pray for the people who will one day be in my care, that they may meet Christ.

We can, and as Christians, we ought to lead others to Christ. John the Baptist, and Andrew are our models for this.

God bless.

The one that martyrdom lacks...

Saint Martin giving half of his cloak to Christ, by El Greco (Spanish, 1597)

Today the Church celebrates and remembers Saint Martin of Tours. While we rarely hear of Saint Martin anymore, it is interesting to see how many very old churches in Europe are dedicated to him, almost as many as there are dedicted to the Blessed Virgin Mary!

Saint Martin was the first non-martyr Catholic honored as a saint of the Church. This was remember in the Church with the saying: It was not Martin that lacked martyrdom, but martyrdom that lacked Martin. While this can remain only an interesting bit of trivia, we really should ask what this means in our life. Are we asked to make the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom? Probably not, but by declaring Martin of Tours a saint, we re-affirm the belief that each of us are called to be saints. It is not limited to a holy elite, but the way of happiness opened to us all.

Saint Martin of Tours...

...Pray for us!