Each sports season, when the final game is concluded, moves into the "off season" when everyone relaxes for awhile and takes a break from the rigors of preparation, practice and the playing of  games.  The Church, however, doesn't have any "off season" period of time.  We go from season to season (Lent to Easter to Ordinary Time to Advent to Christmas) and are always called to be active in our faith and "always" growing in our relationship with God.

As we read during the Easter Season in the Acts of the Apostles, of the growth of the Church and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit upon believers of Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, we are challenged in a unique way to let the Holy Spirit guide us to give witness to Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, in our thoughts, words and deeds.

The work of evangelization is ongoing and receives special emphasis during the Easter Season.  Lent has prepared us to be stronger in our faith in proclaiming God's good news of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ, and in caring for all, especially the "least among us".  May our Alleluias ring out not only in church, but in our daily lives this active Easter season.

Note:  As joy-filled as our church and other churches were at the Easter Vigil as we ushered in Easter, we could have been even more uplifted by new life in the Church with one or more people being baptized.  I pray our efforts (inspired by the Holy Spirit) in the Easter Season and beyond, will produce candidates for the waters of baptism next Easter Vigil.