Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 203.



YOUCAT Question n. 203 - What is Confirmation?


(Youcat answer) Confirmation is the sacrament that completes Baptism; in it the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us. Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God’s child and asks for God’s Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with Chrism receives the strength to witness to God’s love and might in word and deed. He is now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church.

A deepening through CCC  

(CCC 1285) Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace (Cf. Roman Ritual, Rite of Confirmation (OC), Introduction 1). For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed" (LG 11; Cf. OC, Introduction 2).

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) When a coach sends a soccer player onto the playing field, he puts his hand on his shoulder and gives him final instructions. We can understand Confirmation in a similar way. A hand is placed upon us. We step out onto the field of life. Through the Holy Spirit we know what we have to do and we have been given the power to do it. He has motivated us. His mission resounds in our ears. We sense his help. We will not betray his trust or disappoint him; we will win the game for him. We just have to want to do it and listen to him.    

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1314) If a Christian is in danger of death, any priest should give him Confirmation (Cf. CIC, Can. 883 § 3). Indeed the Church desires that none of her children, even the youngest, should depart this world without having been perfected by the Holy Spirit with the gift of Christ's fullness.

(The next question is:  What does Sacred Scripture say about the sacrament of Confirmation?)

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