SAINT ANDREW, APOSTLE OF ADVENT.........

On this last day of our month of November remembrance, the second day of the new Liturgical Year 2010, we venerate St. Andrew the fisherman, brother of Simon Peter. Like his brother, Andrew was called by Jesus to follow him, as one of his primary disciples. St. Andrew is known as the, 'Apostle of Advent', and is held in great veneration by our sisters and brothers in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Eastern Orthodox Christians consider St. Andrew the Apostle to be the, "protoclete", meaning the first called of the Twelve Apostles. Sacred Tradition teaches us that Andrew may have preached the Gospel in Asia Minor and Greece. He is thought to have been crucified on a X shaped Cross. Besides high veneration in the Eastern Rite Churches, St. Andrew is also the patron saint of Scotland, with his cross placed on the Scotland's national flag. And for golfers everywhere, perhaps the most famous golf course resort in all the world is named St. Andrew's in Scotland, the home of the sport of golf. Today's Gospel proclamation for the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle presents the Call by Jesus of His Disciples. Jesus called Andrew, Simon, and the other Apostles by catching sight of them, watching them as they did their ordinary daily labor and then boldly invited them to, "Follow Me". That same gaze, watching, inviting, by Jesus the Christ has continued to occur for more than two thousand years as He has fervently called new disciples. We too, and others have received the Call of Christ to Discipleship. The Advent Season and our preparation and anticipation for the Lord Jesus' three-fold Coming, is an outstanding time to meditate on how faithfully and fervently YOU are responding to the Call of Jesus the Christ in your life. May Andrew the Apostle of Advent, guide your efforts to discern the response you are making, or need to make, in answer to God's Call. The start of the new Church Year in Advent, is also an excellent opportunity to determine what more you will do in Liturgical Year 2010, to pray, worship, and minister, better as a committed disciple in the Community of Believers, the Church ? What are, or will you do, to be present and participating with and for others, in the spirit of, "Faith, Fellowship, Collegiality, Collaboration" ???? As Jesus Calls you here and now, YOU and CHRIST will find the answer in your open, ready, and willing Heart.........Happy St. Andrew's Day !!! In the Hope and Joy of the Advent of the Lord, Fr. Troy