Pastor’s Corner 01.12.2024
As we light the first candle on our Advent wreath, I wish all of you a fruitful time of preparation for welcoming Jesus into your hearts, family and world. Let us try our best to focus more and more on our spiritual preparation amidst the push and pulls of materialistic requirements and temptations. Let us also take time to think about our less fortunate brothers and sisters in the world, torn by poverty, war and natural calamities.
During the four weeks of Advent season, we meditate on Jesus’ sacrifice that brings us to repentance, and we anticipate his return. In the busyness of the Christmas season, celebrating Advent provides us with a time to focus our hearts on Jesus.
The first Sunday of Advent leads our hearts to Hope. The purple color symbolizes royalty, repentance, and fasting. This week is a time for us to reflect on what it must have been like to feel the depth of God’s silence during the period between the Old Testament and New.
It is a time to ponder the prophecies about the promised Messiah. We begin the season with a mindset that creates hope in our hearts.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone (Isaiah 9:2).
First Sunday of Advent Prayer:
Holy God, we begin this week of advent with a heart awakening to hope. You are our signpost lighting our way forward. Darkness may abound, but you reveal light. Night may linger, but hope comes in the morning because of you. May we turn our hearts turn toward you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
We celebrate this week…
St. Andrew, Apostle: 30 November 2024
According to the New Testament, Andrew was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. Much like his younger brother, Simon Peter, Andrew was also a fisherman. Andrew's very name means strong and he was known for having good social skills.
In the Gospel of Matthew, it is said Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing. It is then he asked the two to become disciples and "fishers of men."
In the Gospel of Luke, Andrew is not initially named. It describes Jesus using a boat, believed to be solely Simon's, to preach to the multitudes and catch a large amount of fish on a night that originally was dry. Later, in Luke 5:7, it mentions Simon was not the only fisherman on the boat, but it is not until Luke 6:14 that there is talk of Andrew being Simon Peter's brother.
However, the Gospel of John tells a separate story, stating Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist. When Jesus walked by one day, John the Baptist stated, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" It is then that Andrew and another made the decision to follow Jesus.
St. Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen and singers. He is also the patron saint to several countries and cities including: Scotland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Patras.
