What kind of story do you want to tell about your confirmation?
The fourth in a series of letters to youth making confirmation at a special Mass today. I pray the thoughts will be of value to both those teens and those who have already made their confirmation.
My younger brothers and sisters in Christ,
What kind of story do you want to tell about your confirmation?
That may seem like an odd question, but at some point down the road you’re going to look back at some of the events in your life. I’m just asking, when you look back at confirmation, what’s it going to look like? Or think of it this way. Suppose someone is making a movie of your life and they’re putting together the final cut. When they get to the “confirmation scene” will they keep it in the film, or will they cut it because it doesn’t add anything to the movie?
The answers, of course, depend on what you do now. Confirmation, sadly, for many teens is just something they have to do – like going to a big family gathering in the summer. For them, confirmation doesn’t hold much meaning and, if they’re honest, it may not even matter if they get confirmed at all. With that attitude, they do the minimum preparation, go through the ceremony like a robot, and the “confirmation movie scene” just ends up on the cutting room floor.
I hope that doesn’t describe you. Confirmation can be a special moment in your life – something worth remembering and a scene worth keeping in that film. How does the sacrament become a great scene?
First, you’ll want to be clear on exactly what happens at confirmation, or to be more specific, what’s going to happen to you. Confirmation is a continuation of your baptism. While you didn’t have any say in what happened at your baptism, confirmation is all up to you. You’ll be the one who states your belief in our faith. It will be your chance to publicly take a stand for Christ – to say that you are a disciple and want to grow as a follower.
Second, while God’s spirit has been with you since baptism, at confirmation you’ll receive “the fullness of the Holy Spirit.” That’s just a fancy way to say that God will give you His Spirit in a more powerful way to help you live out the commitment you’re making.
That commitment might be a bit scary or perhaps make you wonder if you’re enough of a disciple to say you are one. In other words, you might think that you shouldn’t be confirmed until you’ve got your act together. Fortunately, God doesn’t see it that way. He knows we all have faults, failings, and even doubts. Don’t forget God made us and knows all about us. God’s willing to take us where we are right now. So, it’s ok if you’re not entirely sure or don’t completely understand your faith. If you make the commitment, God’s Spirit will help you with the rest. To use a sports analogy, if you commit to the team, God will coach you to be a better player.
It makes sense that everyone doesn’t experience the sacrament the same way, but for many the key moment is when the bishop extends his hands and prays for the Holy Spirit to come into their life. It’s a powerful moment – one where, in the movie, the music swells and the hero’s theme is played. Don’t forget this is a sacrament, so while the physical things – the anointing and hands – are being done, something is also happening at the level of your soul. Lots of youth feel it and even if they can’t describe it well, they know that something has changed in their life. They somehow know that they’ve had an encounter with God.
I hope you’ll spend some time this week thinking about your confirmation. It will help make it meaningful. Athletes often prepare for the “big game” by picturing it in advance. This is a religious “big game.” Pray about it. Get pumped!
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Kevin
