How is Confirmation a gift? Confirmation is a gift. We are able to open physical and spiritual gifts for ourselves at Confirmation. We now need to ask ourselves, “What am I now going to do with the gift of the Sacrament of Confirmation?”
We could do one of three things once we receive the gift from the Bishop:
One, we could throw it away.
Two, we could take it, but ignore it. Maybe we put it in the closet as far back as possible letting it gather dust. We could have the attitude that it is not that important but I might want it later.
Three, we can open it up with the excitement and put the gift to use.
The fact is, if someone was confirmed because “my parents made me” that is a good thing. Our parents can make us receive this gift. In fact, if they have a sacramental marriage (Church marriage) they promised to raise their children up in the Catholic Faith, so if they do not have us receive it, they would be breaking their promise to us and to God. Our parents, however, cannot make us open it. In fact, no one can make us open it, not even God because of our free will. We have the responsibility to do the right thing with the gift, which has been given to us by our parents, by Christ and His Church.
How do we open up the gift of Confirmation? The ways are endless; we live the life of Christ and His Church. First and foremost we go to Mass, we pray, we grow in knowledge of the faith and morals and live them courageously being a witness for Christ. We can make a long list, there are many.
How does Confirmation give us strength? Jesus gave us the sacrament of Confirmation because He knew that we would need strength. Christ gives us the Sacrament of Confirmation so that all will have access to the strength necessary to reach Christian perfection. Saint Peter says, “Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith.”[i] The word confirmation means, “to thoroughly make firm” or “to make solid”.
Blessed Pope John Paul II said, “The Grace conferred by the Sacrament of Confirmation is more specifically a gift of strength. This gift corresponds to the need for greater zeal in facing the spiritual battle of faith and charity in order to resist temptation and give witness of Christian word and deed to the world with courage, fervor, and perseverance. This zeal is conferred by the Holy Spirit.”
Confirmation strengthens and completes our baptismal vows. Let us take a look at what was done at our Baptism so we know what is being strengthened and completed. Christ knew that we would need this Gift of Strength mainly in the areas listed below. The Holy Spirit is the Gift of Strength that helps us with the needs below by giving us the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are in parenthesis.
What do we need strength for?
Our relationship with God, our Father
We need a deeper love for God and to obey Him as a Father (Piety)
We need help in discerning the will of God in all things (Knowledge)
We need the strength to do the will of God in all things (Fortitude)
We need help to hunger and thirst for the things of God (Wisdom)
We need help directing our life and actions to the Glory of God (Wisdom)
Our relationship with Christ and the Church
We need a firm and lasting connection to the Body of Christ, the Church
We need help in knowing the mysteries of our Faith (Understanding)
Rejecting Satan, his empty promises and evil ways – the baptismal promises
We need to dread, despise, and hate sin (Fear of the Lord)
We need to be warned constantly of the deceits of Satan (Counsel)
We need to know clearly anything that puts our salvation in danger. (Counsel)
Living out the Faith which we profess
We need help in perfecting the Grace that was given at Baptism. Jesus says in, “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”[ii] In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Saint Paul says, “May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness.”
We need help bearing witness to Christ and professing our Faith in both word and deed, even unto death.
We need help with our minds, which have become darkened. Faith enlightens our mind
We need help with our wills, which have lost courage. Fortitude gives courage to our will
To those who have taken advantage of this great Sacrament and receive the gift, St. Ambrose says, “Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment (counsel) and courage (fortitude), the spirit of knowledge and reverence (piety), the spirit of holy fear in God’s presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.”
Saint Paul tells Saint Timothy, “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.”[iii]
We can make a comparison between Confirmation and chocolate milk. When we make a glass of chocolate milk we pour the chocolate syrup (Holy Spirit) into milk (soul). If we do not “stir into flame” the gift we have been given, it will settle at the bottom and our lives will not provide the rich taste of life that the world desperately needs. We must continually “stir into flame the gift of God” that we received by thanking God for our own Confirmation, recalling it in our mind, asking for the Graces that we were given at Confirmation and using them now in our life.