The form of governance in the United States is regulated by terms of office.  In past times one would be installed for life.   Public roles, such as prophet, priest or king, were initiated by anointing.   The notion of the chosen one to usher in God’s ultimate reign was the Messiah (cf. Dan 7:13-14, “son of man”), in Greek, Christos.  In the Spirit of the Resurrected Lord we are anointed for the Christian journey for grace and service as members of the Body of Christ.  This anointing is the sacrament called Confirmation.

Confirmation is not a “Christian bar mitzvah.” It is more accurate to describe Confirmation as the seal of the Holy Spirit given in baptism for power.  This seal has two kinds of power: personal endowment and service.  The distinct gifts of the Holy Spirit for the sake of the anointed one, by which s/he is strengthened (power) to live in an unredeemed world with nobility and hope, are wisdom, knowledge, understanding, prudence courage, piety, and fear (reverence) of the Lord. 

Along with these personal gifts are the gifts of service—outward-directed gifts: administration, craftsmanship, celibacy, discernment of spirits, encouragement, faith, giving, healing, mentoring, hospitality, prayer, leadership, mercy, missionary, pastoring, prophecy, service, and teaching (1 Cor 12:7-10, 12; Eph 4:11, Rom 12:6-8).  These gifts are not talents; they are more than that.  Animated by the Holy Spirit, the person is super-capable and super-effective.  It becomes a wonder to behold.  Way too many confirmed adults have no clue nor have they been encouraged to discover the gift given to them.  Thus, the church is poorer for the lack of these gifts of service.  Here at St. Paul, we work on discernment of gifts of service.  Interested?  Inquire at the Office.

Finally, there is the wonder of the fruits of the Spirit.  Fruits are the “consequences” of life in the Spirit for the person and for the community.  The fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22).  Do we know of these attributes in the Christian community?  Does this characterize St. Paul Catholic Center?  If not, what are we waiting for?  The Spirit awaits each and every one of us to open our hearts and minds to such grace.  But such grace demands trust: trust in God’s leadership, not mine; trust in God’s control, not mine; acknowledgement of God’s love, not mine.  But cooperating with Christ and his Spirit unleashes incredible grace!

So, dear Confirmandi, do not think of this Sacrament as the end of anything…except your preparation to become a witness of Christ and an instrument of his ministry.  Don’t settle for less. 

And how to you enter into this ministry?  The next step is discerning the gift of the Spirit in you.  Confirmation “class” and “youth ministry” are structures to help you discover this.  And for all confirmed adults, come and entertain the possibility of ministry with meaning because it is adapted to you…as you adapt to it.  We shall we discover in the divine power of anointing!