30 November 2025 – St. Andrew’s Day

On St. Andrew’s Day, we have a witness to show us how to follow Jesus. Although our Patron Saint was the first to follow him  and introduced his brother to Jesus, he is always described not by his own name but as ‘Simon Peter’s brother’.

He took second place – but did it graciously and hopefully. There was no sign of bitterness nor jealousy. Far from it! It’s in Andrew’s nature to play second fiddle for every time we meet him in the gospels, he is introducing someone to Jesus!

His brother was first. The second was a little boy – the boy with the loaves and the fishes. And what became of that introduction? Five thousand hungry people were fed. It was a miracle of grace!

And the third? Who was the third? It was a group of Greek people. They wanted to see Jesus. They came to Philip. He didn’t know what to do. He brought them to Andrew – and Andrew took these foreigners to meet Jesus.

And what did Jesus say? My hour has come. Yes – and more. ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.’

And didn’t Andrew die – to self, certainly? And didn’t he bear much fruit? The Saltire is a vivid reminder to the Scottish nation not so much of nationalism but of a fruitful way of living through a ministry focused on other people and Christ.