FOR THE JOURNEY

Cathy Pressimone
EMCC Parish Life Coordinator
Master Catechist

CONFIRMATION
 
‘After Jesus was baptized, he came directly out of the water. Suddenly the sky opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and hover over him. With that, a voice from the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son. My favor rests on him.”’ (Mt 3: 16-17)

At this moment, for the first time in Scripture, we are shown the wholeness of God; the Trinity - God the Father, the newly baptized Son, Jesus, and the Spirit, in the form of a dove. John had foretold that while he baptized with water, the One who would come after would baptize in the Spirit. It is the Spirit that is received in Baptism and completed in its fullness during the sacrament of Confirmation.

While Baptism is the first sacrament we receive, it is one of the three sacraments of Initiation. The Spirit comes upon us in Baptism, but it is in Confirmation that we are sealed with the Holy  Spirit; Confirmation is “necessary for the completion of the baptismal grace…[and through] Confirmation, we are more perfectly bound to the Church and enriched with a special strength  of the Holy Spirit. [Now, as] true witnesses of Christ, [we are called to] defend and spread the faith by word and deed.” (CCC 1285)

Defend and spread the faith by word and deed. It is this notion, perhaps, that inspired my 8th teachers to tell us that when we were confirmed we became soldiers of Christ. This sacrament can inspire the recipient to become aware of God’s call and the understanding that we must be willing to live our faith. Not only do we receive the Spirit in Confirmation but we also receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts aid and challenge us to use our reason and compassion in living out our faith. These gifts call us to be the best-version of ourselves; to stand up, look Jesus directly in the eyes and say “Yes!” to all He asks.

Recall that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of  wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God’s presence. 

Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts. (St. Ambrose)
This sacrament is not a response to God’s call; not us confirming our faith and promise to God. Rather, in this sacrament, God is confirming his commitment to us. Anointed with oil, we are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit - claimed by Christ, and confirmed by the Father that we belong to him.