In today’s Gospel passage, part of Jesus’ farewell address to his Apostles, Jesus promises the gift of the Spirit who will teach and guide us in our mission. This great gift of the Holy Spirit, given on Pentecost to the Apostles and given to us in every Sacramental encounter with Our Savior, empowers us to proclaim our faith in both word and deed. This Spirit encourages us and assists us each and every day to live in a holy and sacred manner. It is this same Holy Spirit that fulfills the promise of Peace given to us by Jesus in the Father. The peace that Jesus gives makes us whole and holy.
 In our struggles in life, this Spirit strengthens us to make right decisions and guides us in the best course of action. We call this wonderful gift the very grace of God. We are called and chosen to be people of grace. Our every prayer, every devotion and of course, every Sacrament fills us with this grace and draws us ever closer to God and one another in faith, hope and love. Saint Therese of Lisieux wrote; “Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will and being just what God wants us to be.” The Holy Spirit is our guide and our power to be and do what God asks us to be and do.
 Jesus reminds us that we need not be afraid because this Sprit is alive in us. Our hearts need not be troubled because that Spirit is alive in us. Though we sometimes fail, we seek to be everything God has called us to be. That same Spirit brings us to repent and change our hearts and lives to be better, to be stronger and holier each day. As God’s holy people, we continue to bring hope and holiness to our world.
 
 
Memorial Day is a day on which we honor those who died in service to our nation. We honor their sacrifice for us and for their sisters and brothers throughout the world in the fight for freedom and peace. We celebrate this day as a promise that we will never forget. For those veterans who have gone before us, we pray that they now know the joy of eternal life. We are eternally grateful. And to all those currently serving, we give thanks for you and we pray that God will always keep you safe.