Easter season has always been a dichotomy for me. The journey through Lent culminating in the Triduum seems to be the crescendo of the liturgical year. The next great feast of the Church arrives with Pentecost Sunday later this month. I have in the past lost some steam during the weeks separating the two Sundays. As I’ve matured in my spiritual journey, particularly in the last ten years, I’m becoming more reflective on the daily readings during this time. In the first reading Pentecost has already occurred, Paul has had his personal encounter with Christ and the apostles and other disciples have been filled with the Holy Spirit and converted thousands. They are vigorously proclaiming the “Good News” of salvation. Both in the reading from Acts and the Gospel of John, the Advocate is truly present and acting in the disciples. That same Advocate is still alive and acting within and among us all. Even in the psalm we are assured that God “will send to you the Spirit of truth.”

The confidence that the Holy Spirit being there to guide me is reassuring. The last year or so has been a time of reflection and prayer for me to discern God’s will for me in the coming years. Times are changing as I approach Act Three in my life. This weekend my youngest daughter will graduate college. She is already employed and living on her own. My eldest daughter, after a year of working and living at home, is moving to Europe for her Master’s Degree studies. My wife and I will be real empty nesters. The question that has been turning in my heart is where my spiritual journey will take me. With the freedom of extra time is the responsibility to grow spiritually and more importantly to give back to the world as Christ has asked. This can only happen with prayer, discernment and relying on the Holy Spirit. How the Spirit moves me can come in many forms: Reading scripture, a papal exhortation, working with a spiritual advisor, prayer or just walking in the street and seeing an injustice which needs to be remedied. As I reflect on the readings for today, I pray to be convicted by the Advocate. Hopefully my answers will become apparent as I walk the journey of life and the path towards salvation.