Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Confirming the Gifts

  Ah, it's that time of year when we begin Confirmation classes again with our high school students. I love the sacrament of Confirmation. The Holy Spirit coming down and infusing you with an extra dose of the Gifts of the sacrament,  Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Awe and Wonder or Fear of the Lord is such an amazing grace when you accept those gifts.
  Accept them? Yes, you don't get them unless you accept them.  Like everything with our Father in Heaven, YOU have a choice.  He never forces his love on  you, you have to choose whether to accept or reject God's love.  It's a gift. 
  So if you are preparing for Confirmation and you are preparing well to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit you will receive them. But if you are just going along with everything because your family or teachers say you MUST be confirmed, you will not.  Likewise if you are not truly living the Catholic theology, you are not preparing yourself to receive those gifts either. Getting drunk, having premarital sex and ruining reputations; these things do not prepare your soul for the gifts God has for us.
  So think about it.  Are you REALLY ready to be confirmed as a Catholic?  You have to make the choice to receive God's blessing and graces.