This Sunday we celebrate both St Andrew’s Day, the patron saint of Clayhidon) and Advent Sunday. Advent Sunday begins the countdown to Christmas and also marks the Liturgical New Year. There is much that is new this year: the parishes of the Upper Culm Mission Community have a new Rector, and I have a new home, and a new worshipping community. Soon I will have many new friends too, I hope.
Andrew was the first of the disciples to be called to something new by Jesus (although in today’s gospel passage Peter is named first), and yet he isn’t the most prominent of the Twelve. He will merge into the background as his brother’s prominence rises.
As he walked by the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
Matthew 4: 18,19
Andrew had first been a follower of John the Baptist and in John’s gospel account it is he who introduces Peter to Jesus. This seems to be Andrew’s gift, making connections and offering invitations. It is he who finds the boy with the fishes and loaves and brings him to meet Jesus. Reading the Gospel accounts it feels as if poor Andrew is often left out of the big things: when Peter and their cousins James and John are invited up the Mount of Transfiguration, Andrew is left behind, and yet we never hear him grumble or complain. Andrew keeps his feet on the ground and his eyes open for those on the edges, drawing them in. Andrew is the one who champions the inclusivity of Jesus’ welcome.
Advent offers us the opportunity to respond anew to Jesus’ call to follow him. Whether we will be called to become leaders and preachers or to care for those on the fringes, our response to Jesus is valid and valuable. What will we do to celebrate this ‘New Year’ in our churches, how will we renew our response to Jesus’ call upon our lives?
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