Saint Andrew … a stained glass window in Saint Andrew’s Church, Malahide, Co Dublin (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)
Patrick Comerford
Today is the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle [30 November 2016]. The season of Advent began on Sunday [27 November 2016], and throughout this time of preparation, I am praying each morning and using for my reflections the prayer diary of the Anglican mission agency, USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel).
USPG is also marking the time around the beginning of Advent, from 25 November to 10 December, as ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.’
The USPG Prayer Diary:
Wednesday 30 November 2016 (Saint Andrew the Apostle):
Pray for the millions of women who suffer in silence having endured sexual violence at the hands of family members or strangers or during wars.
The shrine of Saint Andrew in the crypt in the cathedral in Amalfi (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)
Readings (Revised Common Lectionary, the Church of Ireland, Holy Communion):
Isaiah 52: 7-10; Psalm 19, 1-6; Romans 10: 12-18; Matthew 4: 18-22.
The Collect of the Day (Saint Andrew):
Almighty God,
who gave such grace to your apostle Saint Andrew
that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ
and brought his brother with him:
Call us by your holy Word
and give us grace to follow without delay,
and to tell the good news of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Advent Collect:
Almighty God,
Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light
now in the time of this mortal life
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Post-Communion Prayer:
Father,
may the gifts we have received at your table
keep us alert for your call
that we may always be ready to answer,
and, following the example of Saint Andrew,
always be ready to bear our witness
to our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Continued tomorrow
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