When one attempts to comprehend Baptism and along
with it the sacrament of Confirmation a person may envision or assimilate a
type of initiation process or rite, however, a person may synthesize this sacrament
into their mind, and process it through everyday life. As Father Benedict Groeschel wrote in last
week’s meditation “baptism prepares us for battle, and Confirmation which in the
early church was given with Baptism strengthens us for the battle.” Sacred
scripture states in the writing of St. Paul Romans 12:1 (RSV) “ I appeal to you
therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not
be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that
you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and
perfect.”
The sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the
completion of Baptismal grace. Confirmation makes available to the faithful the
strength of the Holy Spirit, this supernatural strength that the believer is
sealed with is the very ability and power to encourage us. St. Paul states in Romans 12:2 (RSV) “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind.” The confirmed believer stands on a sure and firm
foundation and can proclaim with the faithful past, present, and future as
stated in Philippians 4:13 (RSV) “I can
do all things in him who strengthens me.” The strength of the Holy Spirit in
the Sacrament of Confirmation envelopes us and is the initiator, promoter, and the
one who empowers us to live for Christ, and to evangelize for Him. Because of the effects of the fall of man, and sin entering the
world a real presence of Christ is necessary to the confirmed individual. Because as we continue to serve our Lord the
truth and reality that we are only passing through this life, and are in this
world yet not of it is made real to us by this special sealing and presence of
Christ in the confirmed. One is far
better if he or she does not forget the rites and promises that keep us close
to our Saviors side and in the center of His divine will, especially in regards
to this wonderful and necessary Sacrament of Confirmation. Sacred Scripture states in II Timothy 1:12 (RSV),
“But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he
is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” The Holy Spirit is our guardian and enables
us to guard the truth that has been entrusted to us as well as the Holy Spirit
is the one who has given us the truth for he leads us and guides us into all
truth.
According to The Creed written by Bernard
Marthaler the very essence of the rite of Confirmation is the gift of the
Spirit, whose seal marks the baptized as Christians. In the ancient world one’s
seal was like a modern person’s signature.
Impressed on wax, it identified the author of an official document or
letter; a seal tattooed on the forearms of soldiers identified them with a
particular legion; branded on animals, the seal indicated ownership. Thus the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit seals Christians with the sign of the cross-the
insignia of their allegiance, the mark of their salvation. St. Paul referred to himself as a slave for
Christ signifying a new ownership and a new allegiance on his part. The anointing and sealing of the Holy Spirit
in Confirmation is attributed to all that we accomplish in and through Christ, Sacred
Scripture states in Ephesians 3:20 (RSV) “Now unto him who by the power at work
within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.”
Following
the mandate of Vatican II, Pope Paul VI revised the rite of confirmation so “ that
the intimate connection of this sacrament with the whole of Christian
initiation [would] stand out more clearly.” --Vatican II
The
best and easiest way to maintain the proper relationships of the sacraments of
initiation to one another is, first, to respect the traditional order of Baptism,
Confirmation, and Eucharist; and second, to celebrate them together, as in fact
done in the Right of Christian Initiation of Adults. The RCIA explains the
unity of the sacraments of initiation as follows: This connection signifies the
unity of the paschal mystery, the close relationship between the mission of the
Son and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, and the joint celebration of the
sacraments by which the Son and the Spirit come with the Father upon those who
are baptized.
–Bernard
Marthaler, The Creed the Apostolic Faith in Contemporary Theology.
Quiet Time and Then
Discussion
Questions for Meditation
1. How has confirmation strengthened you as one of the faithful?
The
brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, prosper Thou the work of our hands
upon us, O prosper Thou our handi-work. Be Lord, within me to strengthen me,
without me to guard me, over me to shelter me, beneath me to establish me,
before me to guide me, after me to forward me, round about me to secure me.
Amen
-John Henry Cardinal Newman