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Kirkin’O’Th’Tartan
November 26, 2007
3:00 pm
The Rev. Canon Grant Carey

"As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew casting a net into the sea - - for they were fisherman…"

So begins a wonderful story that has been passed on thru centuries - - the calling of two brothers from their work as fishermen on an inland sea to become fishermen whose nets were to be cast throughout the world.

Our Kirkin’ is celebrated here on the Sunday closest to the day when Andrew is remembered throughout the Christian world - -this very simple man who found both inspiration and courage to become one of the most important men in the history of the modern world.

We may not know a lot about Andrew, but this we do know: he had determination and he was empowered by the love of God to do things far beyond what he might have thought possible.

Never did he dream that he would traverse much of the ancient world - - by foot, on horseback, in leaky boats - - and eventually die for the faith he professed.

A little child was asked to define a saint. And pointing to the stained class window in the church, he replied: “A saint is someone who lets the light shine through.” What an apt description of Andrew whom we remember and honor today, and who is also remembered and honored as the patron saint of Scotland.

Though Andrew is said by historians to have traveled through Asia Minor and Greece, it isn’t likely that he made his way to Scotland - - though some would like to believe that he did. What most likely is, that, while he himself never made it to the Scotland, his bones did - - or at least some of them. And that, in itself, is a fascinating story.

Andrew is said to have been martyred during persecution - - crucified on an X shaped cross (hence the Cross of Saint Andrew in the flag of Scotland and that of the Episcopal Church which traces its first Bishop to Aberdeen).

The saint’s body was buried, according to tradition, in Greece. Three centuries later, the emperor Constantine decreed that his bones be taken to Constantinople to be enshrined there - - but an Irish monk had another idea which he considered to be divinely inspired.

He felt that he had been divinely called to take the Saint’s bones “to the ends of the earth” for safekeeping. And for him, the ends of the earth were … Scotland! So, secretly removing a few bones from the Saint’s tomb, he carried them to what is now Saint Andrews where he was shipwrecked along with his precious cargo.

Whether this story is authentic or not, the fact remains is that by the Eighth Century, the city of Saint Andrews had became Scotland’s religious center and a favorite place of pilgrimage. That lasted until the Reformation when the reformer, John Knox , ordered the destruction of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew and the removal of all that he considered to be “objects of idolatry.”

Where the Saint’s bones are today is a mystery that might just become the subject of a book to rival “The DiVinci Code.”

What a long way from a humble fisherman mending nets in Galilee to becoming the patron Saint of Scotland!

After more than two thousand years, Andrew the Fisherman is remembered here today … in Sacramento …in a land not even imagined when he and his brother Simon mended their nets and encountered a young man who inspired them to become fishers of people!

In one sense, the “Kirkin’O’th’ Tartan” is a Twentieth Century creation.

It originated not in Scotland but Washington D.C…. in 1943.

It was the idea of a bright, young Presbyterian clergyman named Peter Marshall.

This was at the height of the war, and all of Britain was suffering.

Whatever Peter Marshall’s reason was for beginning this service, it soon caught the imagination of people all over who wanted to remember Scotland, to affirm the courage and determination of those who had fought so long and so bravely for freedom and independence . . . but even more than that. . to affirm what the Tartan represented: - - clan - - family - - tradition - - courage in the face of persecution - - and determination to triumph over adversity.

The Kirkin’O’th’Tartan means many things to many people! - - With pipes and drums and the tartans that will aae presented to be blessed - - at the heart of this celebration stands a humble fisherman who, having left mending his nets, went on to live and die for the Lord he knew and loved.

So the Kirkin’ speaks to us also of courage and perseverance, qualities so sorely needed today in our broken and confused world.

Scots, along with countless others who admire the tenacity of a great people, have come together here in this Cathedral this afternoon that they may reaffirm their faith and receive the assurance of God’s blessing on individuals and families who gathere together in community.

This is the thirtieth Kirkin O’ Th’ Tartan to take place in this Cathedral. The Very Reverend Charles Howard Perry, Dean of Trinity in 1976, proud of his Scottish heritage..

May today’s Kirkin' recall to us Saint Andrew, who, inspired by Jesus to be and to become the best he could be, shared the Good News of God’ love for all people.

As with Andrew, this, too, is our calling as well.

Robert Burns wrote:

Farewell to the highlands, farewell to the North,
The birthplace of valor, the country of worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands forever I love.
[My Heart's in the Highlands]

And so it is that on the day - - and in this holy place - - we too recall the Highlands, the people, … the tradition, … the courage, … and the valor of our Scottish brothers and sisters - - and as Robbie Burns said:

It is guid to be merry and wise,
It is guid to be honest and true. ,
It is guid to support Caledonia’s cause,
and bide by the buff and the blue.
[Here’s a Health to Them That’s Awa’]

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, by whose grace we have all been called into fellowship and service; help us to follow the example of the Apostle Saint Andrew who brought his own brother to Jesus; that we may share the Good news of our salvation with those near to us, in our families and our neighborhoods - - our clans - - to the advancement of your kingdom, the cause of peace, and the promotion of good will among all people to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen