St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter and the first disciple called by Christ. He was the first home missionary as well as the first foreign missionary. His day determines the beginning of the Western Church Year, since the First Sunday of Advent is always the Sunday nearest his day. From the writing of Valerius Herberger:
Reverent hearts, we hold the feast of the apostle Andrew in Christendom as the first in the [Church] Year not only because it falls near the season of Advent but also because Andrew was called first, before the other apostles, by the Lord Jesus. Even Durandus, the bishop of Mende, says, "The saints are to be honored by imitation, not adored, as if to honor them as gods. They are to be honored with love, not adored with servitude."
Now history tells us how St. Andrew together with his fellows conducted their new office. Right away they left their nets and followed the Lord Jesus. And again, right away they left the ship and their father and followed Him. To them, Jesus is now the most precious one on earth-according to His mind they learn, according to His words they teach, according to His will they live, according to His decree they suffer and die. When St. Andrew was threatened with the cross, he said joyfully, "If I feared the punishment of the cross, I would never have preached the mystery of the cross." Then when he saw the cross, he spoke, "Hail, precious cross, you who were dedicated by the body of Christ; may He receive me through you, who redeemed me through you." And when he was living after three days on the cross, his hearers wanted to take him down by force, but he said, "Ah, let God take care of it! Do not make the peace of the Gospel suspect by your unnecessary revolt against the government." That was apostolic constancy and long suffering! This is what it means to "leave everything and follow Christ," all the way to the last catch of fish!
Today's quote is from The Treasury of Daily Prayer, available HERE.
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