Transition Time

Spring in the Northern Hemisphere is "busting out all over." Flowers, lilac bushes, trees, grass...all showing off their newness as their bleak, barren branches transition to new life. Few would express regret at this process.
This year, the month of May boasts of two major transitional Feasts, the Ascension and Pentecost. We can sense a bit of sadness on the part of the disciples as they face major separation from their Friend, but he encourages them to see the bright side:  the Advocate, the Paraclete, who will fill the void and help with the next phase of the mission, the spreading of the Good News of Salvation to all the ends of the earth.  Jesus had to go, the Apostles had to feel that emptiness in their stomachs to appreciate the life and beauty the Holy Spirit would bring.  New life on old branches.  It takes pain, it takes "letting go" to appreciate the new. May the beauty of this month remind us of this deeper, spiritual level..
Bro. Rene