As a former teacher, I remember vividly how the end of the school year gets crazy. Few types of tired rival the sheer fatigue found in a classroom in May. I found myself lacking the energy for long, elaborate prayers, but the one that always seemed to fit this season of stress was “Come Holy Spirit". Nothing helps calm my spinning brain than a deep breath and repeating “Come Holy Spirit".

And the Holy Spirit always comes. Always. It may not be a tongue of fire or a strong driving wind, but it was the inspiration of what to say to a concerned parent. It was the peace that if I couldn't motivate a student, I could still pray for him, and ask the Holy Spirit to be with him. It was the breath of refreshment I needed to make it through the last period of a long day. It was even the gentle reminder within my heart that “ we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” The anxiety, the frustrations and the burdens of  daily life are all opportunities for grace. It’s the Holy Spirit whispering to me to see past the suffering and truly live the meaning of the Easter Season beyond Pentecost.

In fact, as we leave the Easter season, we are commissioned to spread the joy of Easter. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says  "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." We are sent into the world, not empty handed, but overflowing with the peace and joy of the Spirit. We are called to trust that the Spirit will be with us in whatever suffering, confusion or anxiety we encounter, and when we don’t know what to do or say, we can trust in the simplicity of the prayer “Come Holy Spirit".