Joyful anticipation:
For the coming of the Holy Spirit

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Rev. Mr. Eric Sternberg

We all know the great excitement of anticipation, waiting for something we know is coming, something we know will be wonderful.

This type of anticipation is quite different from simple nervous waiting, because we wait in joy rather than fear. Also, this type of anticipation is not passive, in which we sit quietly, getting ready to be run over by what is coming. No, rather it is active waiting, actively joyful waiting.

At this time in the liturgical calendar we are near the end of the Easter season and in a short time will be celebrating the great solemnity of Pentecost, the descent of the Most Holy Spirit. The readings of this weekend make us very aware of this coming feast.

Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 1, 2005) Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 1 Pt 3:15-18 Jn 14:15-21

We are still celebrating the joy of the Resurrection, but we anticipate the celebration of the full gifts of the Spirit that were poured out on the Apostles; we wait to celebrate the birthday of the Holy Church of God.

I imagine there is an analogy to this type of waiting. It might be like that of an engaged couple. They are joyful at their engagement, but it doesn't end there; rather they await a fuller joy that comes with marriage.

For me, it is quite analogous to my vocation. Many years ago I rejoiced that I felt called to the sacred priesthood. Since that time I have lived in that joy, but await that day when ordination will arrive and I can live in the fullness of that joyful life.

In the Acts of the Apostles we read that Philip preached to Samaria. They indeed believed and, "There was great joy in that city." They continued to wait in joy for the Apostles, Peter and John, to come, to lay on hands and give them the Holy Spirit, the fullness of power of life in Christ.

Jesus himself, in the Gospel, tells his Apostles to wait for the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth. They must wait 50 days to receive this Spirit and begin their zealous ministry proclaiming the Risen Lord.

Every day, when I awake, I acknowledge the Risen Jesus and I invoke the Holy Spirit whom I have received. I try to live every day in Christian joy and in holy anticipation.

For now, we Christians live in anticipation of the Heavenly Kingdom, the glorious coming of our Lord and Savior. We wait in joy and in the power of the Spirit.

	Reflection questions • Do I live with a joyful awareness that Christ will come again? • Am I able to give an explanation for my faith, in a gentle way, so others may share my hope?

How do we wait? We wait with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, always ready to give an explanation for the hope that is in us, as St. Peter asks in his First Letter.

We are not orphans; Jesus will come to us again. But for now, we live in the love of the Father, we live in joyful anticipation for what we know is coming, what we know will be wonderful.

Deacon Eric Sternberg is studying for the priesthood at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He and his classmate Michael Radowicz will be ordained priests for the Diocese of Madison on May 27. Deacon Eric currently spends his weekends serving at St. Paul University Catholic Center.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

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