Simon Says ...

--> Today is St Andrew’s day. Andrew is many things – patron Saint of Scotland, known for being crucified on a X-shaped cross.   He seems to merit a special Google home page for his day (but that could just be a feature of his Scottish association).  He is known biblically for being the brother of Simon Peter, and liturgically (at least in the Church of England) the eve of his feast a Day of Intercession and Thanksgiving for the Missionary Work of the Church.   It is these latter two that I have reflected upon today. I find I think of Andrew as the older brother of Simon Peter.   Less inclined to jump in with both feet, and thereby finding himself playing second fiddle much of the time.   It was Andrew who brought his brother to Jesus, and in doing so confesses Jesus as Messiah before his brother ( John 1.35-42 ).   But I am an older brother, so perhaps I’m looking for a scriptural model to balance the more famous elder brother ( Luke...

--> A sermon for Advent Luke 12.35-40 --> Some words of Jesus from St Luke’s Gospel that we heard a few moments ago – ‘You must be ready.’   ‘You must be ready.’   Tonight, in the darkness we begin the process of getting ready for Christmas.   Getting ready is what Advent is for!   ‘You must be ready,’ says Jesus. And getting ready is what most of us are already involved in.   There are lists to be written, letters and cards to post, presents to wrap, decorations to be hung, food to buy and prepare.   There is an awful lot of getting ready that is going on around us, and in which we are all involved.   Most of this, at least, is good.   It is good to be organised, to send out love to friends and family, to give presents and to celebrate at Christmas.   But if that were what Advent is helping us to get ready, then it should have started at least a month ago, and the most organised of us (and this would never incl...