Keeping our promises—being Christlike
We are delighted that this coming weekend a large number of young people will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation here in the parish. Thanks to Fr Axcel, and the team of catechists, for their dedication and patience. The young people are well prepared and they have a clear understanding of what they are promising in being confirmed. But, as the Lord reminds us in this Sunday’s Gospel, he will not leave us as orphans:
‘I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth’ (John 14)
It is this same Holy Spirit whom the candidates receive in their Confirmation. As the Sacred Oil of Chrism is put on their foreheads in the sign of the Cross, these words are said:
‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.’
One thing that I like to note about the Confirmation of these teenagers is that their parents are keeping the promises which they made at baptism, namely to bring their children up as Catholics. Thank you, parents and Godparents, for keeping your promises. This is such an important thing.
In the world, as it is, we are familiar with broken promises, those made with fingers crossed and hoping (in a vague sort of way) that all will work out well in the end. This is not the Christian understanding of making and keeping promises. As Jesus returns to his Father at the Ascension (which we commemorate this Thursday with a Holy Day) he assures his disciples that he will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to be with them forever. This he has done, and we praise Him.
We ask the Lord to bless the newly confirmed and to keep them faithful to the promises they are making at this special and holy time. We also thank them for their commitment and good faith.
With my prayers, and all good wishes,
