Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 203.
(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.
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