Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew, the “first called” Apostle when Jesus encountered him with Peter tending their nets. I hope each of you had a celebration of sorts on Thanksgiving Day and reason to give thanks to God for the blessings of life. I hope none of you went out to Black Friday sales! LOL! Now we earnestly enter our Advent journey; and, once again, this will be an Advent and Christmas season unlike any experienced before. So, let’s choose now how we are going to approach these beautiful seasons keeping in mind that we are not going to have to keep a positive attitude moving ahead.
St. Andrew was called to be an apostle and a “fisher of men” or people. He responded generously and would eventually be crucified on an “X” shaped cross because he felt unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus. The question Jesus would ask Andrew, “What are you looking for?” would be engrained in his soul for his entire life. Perhaps this question may be the center of our Advent journey as we reflect upon Jesus’ invitation to us.
Indeed, what ARE we looking for?
Happy Advent!
The journey continues…wide awake…. keeping watch!
Blessings,
Fr. Mark
