Words of Light and Hope from Tony Foottit

Words of Light and Hope from Tony Foottit.
Heather – St. Andrew – 30th November.
On St. Andrew’s Day our thoughts turn to Scotland, and so to heather.
There are three heathers that occur in Britain – ling, the most common,
bell heather and crossed-leaved heather. It is ling that clothes the
mountains and moors in purple and makes Scotland so memorable a place.
Purple or blue is the colour for Advent, reminding us of mountains and sky
and so to lookup from our enclosed little worlds. Heather is comfortable to
lie on and was once used for mattresses and and thatch as well as fuel for
the fire. We all look for companionship and peace of mind. There is a
tradition that through Andrew’s influence the gospel came to Scotland
which is why he is Scotland’s patron saint. We know from St. John’s gospel
that Andrew approached Jesus, and spent the day with him. It was Andrew
who then introduced his brother Peter to Jesus. Invitation is still an
excellent way to get others ‘on board’. Jesus called Andrew from his fishing
to become a fisher of men and to draw others into the network of God’s
love. Ling is occasionally white and is then a sign of luck. Christians believe
in blessings rather than luck, but sometimes we receive unexpected
blessings. The church is sometimes compared to a boat, a lifeboat and even
to a train. Many people, including clergy, are fascinated by trains and
railway journeys. During a journey some people may have, like Andrew, a
brief encounter that changes the rest of their lives……
From A Calendar of Wild Flowers (part),
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Saint Andrew that he
readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ and brought is brother
with him: call us by your holy word, and give us grace to follow you
without delay and to tell the good news of your kingdom; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.