Romans 10:9-18
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Matthew 4:18-22
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! (Romans 10:15)
St. Paul cites Isaiah 52:7, extolling those who have been sent by the Lord to proclaim the gospel.
On this feast of the apostle St. Andrew, how appropriate and fitting it is to honor the postles
and their successors who have been ordained to bring to the world, in persona Christi, the Gospel of peace. Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio, Paulus, contains a stirring choral rendering of this verse that has captivated listeners for nearly two centuries. The piece begins with the words, "How lovely are the messengers who bring us the Gospel of peace." This choral performance might possibly evoke in the listener a profound sense of gratitude for the priests, deacons and religious who have served the Church since the time of St. Andrew and
the Apostles. May it also remind us that the laity, not secondarily but especially, are called to be ambassadors of Christ in the
world. The verse cited by St. Paul and expounded musically by
Mendelssohn:
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
Announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
"Your God is King."
(Isaiah 52:7)
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
