ADVENT 2021

At our evening meal on November 27th, we blessed our Advent wreath. Each week we will add one candle until all four are burning, signaling the progressive brightening of the world as the Light of Light draws nearer.

Prior to this ceremony, we celebrated the first vespers of Advent, the season of joyful expectation as we await the birth of Christ.

It is a special time for us who are dedicated to living the mystery of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Mary, carrying the first beginnings of Jesus as an embryo in her womb, went to visit her cousin who was far advanced in her pregnancy. The two unborn children recognized each other, and John leapt for joy in response to Jesus' baptizing him, filling him and his mother with the Holy Spirit.

It is with profound hope and in anticipation of the most important birth in the history of the world that we contemplate the first tender shoots sprouting from the root of Jesse. May we, too conceive Jesus in our heart and carry Him to others.

.

St. Andrew, St. Peter's brother, remembered for his gift of friendship, is celebrated on November 30th, the threshold of Advent. He was one of the disciples of St. John the Baptist who recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God and followed Him after Jesus invited him to "come and see."

Later, Andrew found Peter and brought him to Jesus, and they followed the Lamb from the beginning of His public life, through His Passion and Death. They witnessed to His resurrection. In the course of these years, Andrew brought others to Jesus: the boy with the loaves and fish, the Greeks, and most likely many who are not recorded - he was that kind of an obliging and friendly man..

Now, every year, thanks to the liturgical cycle, he brings us to Jesus, the Lamb of God come down from heaven as He begins His earthly life. So it is quite fitting that we begin this prayer on the feast of this great saint, remembering that "Jesus loved Andrew and cherished his friendship."