At all levels of society and at all stages of life, we have helpers who ease the way and allow us to accomplish our life’s goals. We have mother’s helpers who are often called au pairs or grandparents; we have teacher’s aides; we have guidance counselors and teaching assistants; we have home health aides and nursing assistants. Even politicians have aides from mayors to congress and even the white house. 
    One thing that tells us is that none of us can go it alone. We are by nature dependent upon one another for existence and survival.
    All this came to me when I was reflecting on this particular time in our church year. Last week we celebrated the feast of the Ascension of Jesus back into heaven. Before Jesus leaves His apostles, He promises to send them an aide, a helper, the Holy Spirit. In today’s gospel after Jesus is ascended to His Father, the apostles return to that upper room of the last supper, seemingly waiting the arrival of this helper.
    Clearly the Apostles were confused about all that had taken place since that horrible Good Friday; at every turn it seems Jesus was doing something new and different. And here Jesus has left them to carry on, to spread the message which I am sure was bury to say the least. And so, a helper was indeed needed and desired. And we know next Sunday we will be celebrating the Feast of Pentecost, when that helper, the Holy Spirit arrives. That Spirit fires them, gives them understanding, and propels them forward to take that Word of God to new and far reaching places.
    But today they are still waiting and ultimately will discover that help when they least expect it along the way.
    I think that is a good message for all of us. We too look to God help and understanding. We too are in need of spiritual aide. Jesus promises us as he did those apostles that He will send us His spirit to ease our way and to lead us closer to Him. Let us pray that we will wait expectantly, as those apostles did, and discover God Spirit hovering in our midst.