Andrew
was an inhabitant of Bethsaida in Galilee, a fisherman, a disciple of
John the Baptist and then of Jesus, along with his brother Simon,
called to be 'fishers of men'. Simon, nicknamed by Jesus as 'Peter
the rock', subsequently overshadowed Andrew in the gospels, along
with James and John – the inner circle. However, within the
Byzantine Church Andrew is honoured as 'Protokletos' – the first
called.
The
gospels mention Andrew only three more times: at the feeding of the
five thousand, it is Andrew who points out the boy with five barley
loaves and two fish; along with the inner circle, he is said to have
questioned Jesus about when the Temple of Jerusalem would be thrown
down; and after Jesus' final entry into Jerusalem, Andrew and Philip
inform Jesus that there are some Greek people in the city for the
Passover who wish to see him.
According
to tradition, Andrew subsequently preached around the Black Sea and
to the Greeks, and is said to have been martyred at Patras, his
remains being taken variously to Constantinople, Amalfi, Rome, and
Scotland, whose patron saint he became.
The
name Andrew/Andreas is, of course, Greek, not Hebrew, which led the
former Pope, Benedict, to suggest that this was indicative of a
certain cultural openness in Andrew and Simon's family, and the
presence of Greek language and culture in Galilee.
The
short reflection, below, is appropriate for use by individuals or
groups. If using it in a group, then everyone is invited to join in
saying the responsive words in bold
type. There may be
one leader to say the biddings, you can take it in turns, or simply
share the reading as is best for your group.
The
liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered
on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and
experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting
the words others have used: I am indebted to their wisdom. Please use
these liturgies freely, adapting them as suits your own context. I am
always pleased to hear from people who have used them.
Today
we honour Andrew, disciple of John and Jesus:
A
disciple learns from and actively follows some
one or some thing.
To
be a disciple is to recognise and to respond to a teacher:
To
be a follower is to admire, support,
and
travel behind some one or some thing.
To
lead, to be a leader, is to guide some one else forwards:
to
be a means of access, a route in a particular direction.
Some
leaders rely on an authority they have taken or been given,
assuming
the right to tell others what to do:
Some
leaders take on the role of parent or patron,
offering
complete concern,
but
expecting loyalty and restricting freedom.
Some
leaders share decision making, promoting equality
at
the expense of guidance, and safety at the expense of innovation:
Some
leaders allow self-rule, which is not leadership,
while
others operate through reward and punishment,
resulting
in competitiveness and fear.
But
to be a true leader is to serve, not to dictate:
True
leaders lead not to prove themselves
better
than their disciples
but
only in order to empower them;
to
be empowered by another
is
to have encountered a true teacher.
Lao
Tzu said:
All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are.
Humility gives it its power.
If you want to govern the people, you must speak to them humbly.
If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them.
Therefore, although the Sage is above the people, no one feels oppressed.
When he is ahead of the people, no one feels hurt.
The whole world never exhausts praises for him.
Because he competes with no one, no one can compete with him.
After reading this reflection, you may like to take some time to consider and discuss your own experiences of leadership and discipleship,
especially
with regard to the importance of a questioning attitude.
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