I n Confirmation, the Holy Spirit comes to us in a radical way to strengthen us; to increase

Transcription

1 Session 9: Why have I been Chosen? Sealed and Sent in Confirmation I n Confirmation, the Holy Spirit comes to us in a radical way to strengthen us; to increase and deepen the grace of our Baptism; and to make us soldiers for Christ. Confirmation equips us to spread and defend the Faith by word and deed, as witnesses of Jesus. Some people overlook the importance of Confirmation, but the things of God are not to be taken lightly. When we get to heaven, we will see the crucial role our Confirmation placed in bringing us, as well as others, to eternal peace and happiness with God. Confirmation completes the Sacrament of Baptism. The confirmed receive an outpouring of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. As with Baptism, in Confirmation a person s soul is given an indelible mark that enables him to spread and defend the Faith. (Chosen Student Workbook, pg ) At Confirmation, Christians are anointed, or marked, with a special kind of oil (sacred chrism) that shows they are being set apart to continue the work of Jesus by helping to bring salvation to the world. Though the fragrant oil of anointing will eventually wear off, the anointing in the Sacrament of Confirmation leaves a permanent spiritual mark (also called an indelible mark) or seal. The bishop usually confers the sacrament of Confirmation, though priests can receive permission to do so in special circumstances. The minister of the sacrament extends his hands over those to be confirmed, prays over them, and anoints them with holy oil saying, Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. One of the reasons oil is used is because it is a symbol of strength. In ancient times, athletes used oil to limber up their muscles to prepare for a contest. In spiritual terms, Christians are being prepared for the spiritual contest ahead of them. Christ means anointed one. In union with Jesus, the Sacrament of Confirmation makes us anointed ones as well! It was not you who chose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. John 15:16 (Chosen Student Workbook, pg )

2 Confirmation gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the Faith by word and action (CCC 1303) and has traditionally been associated with becoming a soldier for Christ. What does it mean to be a soldier for Christ? Where do you see a spiritual battle going on in the world, and what is your role in it? Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: It roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, Abba, Father! It unites us more firmly to Christ It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us It renders us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross. It actually happens, you are anointed, you are marked with an indelible mark, it stays in your soul forever, by the power of the Holy Spirit. You become like Christ in the world. You are anointed with a new power, so you can live out the impossible, so you can be a light to the world. -Chris Stefanick What are the symbols used in the Sacrament of Confirmation, and what do they mean? Chris says that as a teenager, he made it his goal to share something about his faith every day. What are some ways you could share your faith with the people in your daily life?

3 Session 9: Why have I been Chosen? Sealed and Sent in Confirmation In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal. Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength. Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life The most-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is, those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off the aroma of Christ (2 Cor 2:15). By this anointing the confirmand receives the mark, the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an object. Hence soldiers were marked with their leader s seal and slaves with their master s. This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial. [Eschatology = the end times; end of the world] The bishop extends his hands over the whole group of confirmands. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Sprit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words: All powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. The Lord wants to pour out his Holy Spirit and his love onto you at Confirmation, not like a tiny steam or babbling brook, but like the mighty Niagara Falls.

4 Wisdom: The ability to discern what is true, right, and lasting. Wisdom enables you to see life from God s perspective. It helps you to establish the right priorities in your life, and leads you to think and act in mature ways. Understanding: Allows you to look beyond the shallowness of the world and see the lasting truth in every situation, by recognizing how God is working in your life. Counsel: The right judgment that allows you to see what is right and what is wrong, and the prudence to act accordingly. Fortitude: The courage and strength of will to do what you know you should do, even if it means personal loss or suffering. Knowledge: The ability to see things from a supernatural viewpoint. In particular, to know what God is asking of you. Piety: A loyalty to God that manifests as generous love and affectionate obedience. This is the gift that allows you to love and worship God as he deserves to be loved and worshipped. Fear of the Lord: Helps you to grasp God s greatness and your dependence on him. As a result, you are filled with enormous respect for God and you dread above all offending him or being separated from him. It is not a fear like we usually think of fear today. It is more like an overwhelming reverence that we allow to direct our words and actions. Fruits of the Holy Spirit New Testament Gifts of the Holy Spirit Healing Prophecy Tongues Interpretation of Tongues Teaching Hospitality Administration Counsel Preaching Ministry Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Generosity Gentleness Faithfulness Modesty Self-Control Chastity

5 Session 9: Why have I been Chosen? Sealed and Sent in Confirmation Jesus promised to send his disciples the Paraclete, which is one of the titles of the Holy Spirit. Paraclete (or Advocate) literally means he who is called to one s side and is a term often used in a courtroom setting when referring to the lawyer who stands with the defendant and argues his or her case before the judge. The Holy Spirit stands with us in our everyday lives, making it possible for us to act courageously in the service of God and others and, in a special way, when we are suffering or persecuted. He also comes to the aid of our weakness and helps us to pray when we are unable to help ourselves. When Christ sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, it ushered in the Age of the Spirit, initiating an even more intimate relationship between God and the human race. The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of Sacred Scripture and guided the bishops of the early Church, who decided which books were Spirit-inspired and belonged in the Bible. He guides the leaders of the Church, brings us into communion with Christ through the sacraments, intercedes for us through our prayer, and is at work in the ministries and missionary life of the Church. By virtue of our Baptism, the Spirit dwells within each of us, inviting us to grow in holiness. He transforms us through sanctifying grace and empowers us with gifts. He is our Advocate and strengthens us on our journey toward heaven. In this Age of the Spirit, the pillar of fire that is the third Person of the Trinity is burning within every Christian living in the state of grace. Challenge of the Week (Chosen Student Workbook, pg 114) Find a prayer written to or composed by a saint you admire. Write it in the space below and pray it every day this week. Browse your parish s website or bulletin and check out the list of active ministries. Contact a ministry leader and ask about the work he or she does. Write about it in the space below. Start a Facebook group page with at least one other student (from any Catholic parish, and with your parents permission). Write brief posts about anything you are learning in this class. Invite your classmates to subscribe and comment.

6 Reflection How has your idea of Confirmation changed since the beginning of your preparation? In what practical ways do you think Confirmation will change you? Who have been your spiritual coaches and mentors throughout your life? Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire. St. Catherine of Siena Catechism of the Catholic Church ; YouCat pages 72-76; Gifted: Unleashing the Power of Confirmation, Alison Griswold.