Today is St. Andrew’s Day which means that the past Sunday was the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Church Year. If you are using the Lectionary in the BAS pages 266-524, the Sunday Readings for this Church Year follow Cycle C, and the Daily Readings are Cycle 2. Here we are on Day 3; Happy New Year!

Do you remember the 1982, Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley song, “The Wind Beneath My Wings”. It begins, “It must have been cold there in my shadow...You were content to let me shine...” and continues with the assurance that the singer did indeed notice and that their partner’s support was “the wind beneath their wings”. This is a song that seems appropriate for St. Peter to sing to his brother St. Andrew. Often outshone by Peter, Andrew was the one who brought Peter to Jesus. Later, it was to Andrew that some Greeks were brought when they told Philip that they wanted to meet Jesus.

If you feel that your life has been lived in the shadow, then Andrew could be your Patron Saint. Without your selfless support, the One who overshadows you would not shine as brightly to the glory of God in the world today.

Bible Reading: John 1:35-42; 12:20-23, 32.