Saint Andrew

In an earlier post of leaves on my car, I could not get this image in the set of pictures. Repeated attempts and my writing would appear blocked and off to one side. I took this as a "no" and left it out of the set. The X of the leaf stems reminded me of the Rebel flag, but it also could be another flag, the flag of Scotland, that is called the Saltire, or St. Andrews cross. It depicts the crucifixion of St. Andrew, Scotland's patron Saint, who reportedly asked to be crucified in a different way from Christ, so they crucified him on an X shaped cross. It was St. Andrew that brought Christian Religion to Scotland. St. Andrew never went to Scotland to preach but after his death pieces of his bones were sent to various places. These the Catholic Church calls relics. Relics were worshiped and eventually a cathedral built in honor of St. Andrew. The flag was made from a battle story where prayers were made and an X shaped white cloud appeared in the blue sky.

This is a lot of religious tradition. If a relic reminds someone of Jesus Christ as the Saviour, then so be it, but we do not worship a relic. Jesus is the Saviour, not religious traditions.

History and lore are interesting and I deeply respect Scotland and her people. But to put our faith in a saint is a Catholic practice. There was little said about Andrew in the Bible, but he was the first Disciple of Christ.

John 1:35  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 

John 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 

John 1:37  And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 

John 1:38  Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 

John 1:39  He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 

John 1:40  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 

John 1:41  He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 

John 1:42  And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. 

There are other places where Andrew is mentioned in the Bible. God bless his part in the Biblical account of the Messiah. Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of the church. He is the head of the Church and he is the only begotten Son of God. Let us not worship relics or idols or make a man to take the place of Jesus Christ.