Holy Spirit? More Like Holy Smokes!
Well, folks, it’s that time of year again! On the last Wednesday of October, when we all pretend to love pumpkin spice as much as we love our morning coffee, Pope Francis made his way to St. Peter’s Square. He was there to deliver a catechesis on the Holy Spirit and the sacraments. And let me tell you, it’s more riveting than a Netflix binge! Who needs a drama series when you have the Holy Spirit playing all the roles in the heavenly soap opera?
Channeling the Holy Spirit: The Divine Netflix
Now, don’t get me wrong—when the Pope talks about the Holy Spirit, he’s not just spouting ethereal nonsense. No, no! He’s focusing on the sacrament of Confirmation, which apparently is like getting your (spiritual) driver’s license. You’re all set to hit the road—but where exactly will you go? Hopefully not straight to the “sacrament of farewell” zone! That’s right; we’re not letting Confirmation turn into the “See ya later” card that churchgoers pull out when they’ve got a wedding to attend.
Hands-On Approach: The Old-School Way of Doing Things!
So what’s the deal with the laying on of hands? It’s not just a quirky church ritual like potluck dinners or vague social gatherings filled with awkward small talk. No, this is a tactile tradition as old as time itself—think of it like the original “you’re in the club” handshake! Apostles did it at Pentecost, and now we’ve got some modern problems to deal with—like how to keep these Confirmation candidates from pulling a Houdini on their faith the moment they hit 18.
The Sacrament of Growth, Not Just a Wardrobe Change!
The Pope clearly laid it down: Confirmation isn’t just an accessory to your Baptism; it’s a full-on Christian growth spurt. If baptism is your spiritual birth, then Confirmation is the awkward, yet life-changing teenage phase. That’s the bit where you figure out who you are—faith-wise! One moment you’re a little tadpole, and the next… BAM! You’re the adult fish in the ocean of spiritual adulthood (with all the responsibilities and a tendency to forget where you left your wallet)!
No More Hibernation: Time to Rise and Shine!
Now here’s where it gets cheeky. Papa Frank mentioned “hibernation,” proclaiming that many treat Confirmation as an exit only ticket from church life. “I’ll take my leave now, thank you very much!” But no, dear friends, this should serve as a warm-up act for the main event! Just like your favorite comedian’s opening act, Confirmation is the precursor to what they hope will be a fully engaged audience of spirited churchgoers.
Calling All Torch Bearers—Fan That Flame!
St. Paul encouraged Timothy to “rekindle the gift” he received. Imagine older Timothy saying, “Yeah, I got my torch of the Spirit, but I accidentally extinguished it while binge-watching this Netflix series.” Good grief, just like a candle at a romantic dinner—don’t let the flame die out! The Holy Spirit is the ultimate flicker of divine light that we should be continually stoking.
Final Thoughts: Shovel Not Included!
The Pope wrapped up with a call for all of us to be torchbearers like those flaming athletes at the Olympic Games, except with way less running and way more spirit! So let’s toss out the ashes of our complacency and lack of zeal and get firing on all spiritual cylinders! Don’t forget: the Holy Spirit isn’t just a Sunday event; it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or just out for a snicker, let’s get this Holy Spirit party started—because after all, who wouldn’t want to be one of God’s favorite influencers?
So, what do you say? It’s time to embrace not just our hibernating habits but venturing into a warm, vibrant faith life! After all, laughter is heavenly, but so is the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
On the last Wednesday of October, in sunny, beautiful autumn weather, Pope Francis held the Wednesday general hearing in St. Peter’s Square and in his catechesis in Italian he reflected on the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, which are realized in the life of the Church through the sacraments.
P. Vértesaljai László SJ – Vatican
Today we continue our reflection on the presence and operation of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church, which is realized through the sacraments – the Holy Father began his teaching. The sanctifying activity of the Holy Spirit reaches us primarily through two channels, the Word of God and the Sacraments. But among all the sacraments, there is one that is especially the sacrament of the Holy Spirit, and today I would like to focus on this, and that is the sacrament of Confirmation.
The ancient gesture of laying on of hands
In the New Testament, in addition to water baptism, there is also another rite, the laying on of hands, the purpose of which is the visible and charismatic transmission of the Holy Spirit, with effects similar to the work of the apostles, which happened to the apostles at Pentecost. The Acts of the Apostles reports a significant event in this regard. After the disciples learned that some people in Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they sent Peter and John from Jerusalem there. “They came down,” says the text, “and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; because it had not yet descended on any of them, but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-17). What St. Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians adds to this: “It is God who together with you strengthens and anoints us in Christ. He marked us with his seal and poured the Spirit into our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). The Book of the Soul! the pope confirmed with emphasis. The theme of the Holy Spirit as the “royal seal” with which Christ marks his sheep is the basis of the teaching of the “indelible mark”.
The ceremony of anointing with anointing became permanent in the form of a sacrament standing in itself
Over time, the ceremony of anointing became permanent in the form of a self-contained sacrament, taking on different forms and content in different eras and different ceremonies of the Church. This catechesis is not the place where we can go through this very complex history, the Pope explained. It seems to him that the Adult Catechism of the Italian Bishops’ Conference gives a simple and clear description of what the Church understands the sacrament of confirmation to be. It says: “Confirmation is for all believers what Pentecost is for the whole Church. […] It confirms baptismal incorporation into Christ and the Church, and also confirms the prophetic, royal and priestly mission. It gives the abundance of the gifts of the Spirit […]. Therefore, if baptism is the sacrament of birth, then confirmation is the sacrament of growth. At the same time, it is also the sacrament of witnessing, because it is closely related to the maturity of the Christian life.”
Don’t reduce the confirmation to the “last anointing”!
The problem lies in what we can do to ensure that the sacrament of confirmation is not reduced in practice to the “last anointing”, that is, to the sacrament of “departing” from the Church. Editor’s note: in Hungarian, this phenomenon is called “hibernation”. Pope Francis freely added here: “They say that this is the ‘sacrament of farewell’, because once the young people have taken it up, they leave, only to return at the wedding.” That’s what people say. But we must ensure that confirmation is the sacrament of the beginning of active participation in the life of the church! This is a goal that may seem impossible to us, given the current church situation, but this does not mean that we give up on our intention. This is certainly not what happens to all tenants, be they children or adults, but it is important that there are at least a few who then become leaders of the community.
Let’s live with the “retainer” of the Holy Spirit, let’s taste its first fruits!
For this purpose, it can be useful to ask for help in preparing to receive the sacrament from lay believers who have personally met Christ and experienced the true experience of the Holy Spirit. There are also those who say that they experienced it as the blossoming of the sacrament of confirmation they received in childhood. But this does not only apply to future wage earners, it affects all of us, at all times. Together with the confirmation and the received anointing, as the Apostle assures us, we also received the deposit of the Spirit, which elsewhere is called “the seed of the Spirit” (Romans 8:23). You have to live with this reservation, you have to taste its first fruits, instead of burying the received charismas and talents in the ground.
St. Paul urged his disciple, Timothy, to “rekindle in himself the gift of God which he received by the laying on of hands” (2Tim 1,6). The verb used here suggests an image of someone fanning a fire so that it can flare up again. Here is a nice goal for the anniversary year! the pope recommended. Let’s remove the ashes of habit and indifference, let’s become bearers of the flame of the Spirit, like the torch bearers at the Olympic Games. May the Holy Spirit help us to take steps for this – Pope Francis asked and concluded his catechesis during Wednesday’s general hearing.
**Interview with Fr. László Vértesaljai SJ: Insights on Pope Francis’ Catechesis on Confirmation**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Fr. Vértesaljai! Thank you for joining us today to discuss Pope Francis’ recent catechesis on the Holy Spirit and Confirmation. It sounds like a lively topic! What stood out to you most from the Pope’s message this week?
**Fr. László Vértesaljai:** Good afternoon! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important topic. What struck me most was the Pope’s emphasis on Confirmation not being seen as a “sacrament of farewell.” Instead, it should be viewed as a significant step into a vibrant Christian life where the Holy Spirit actively guides believers.
**Interviewer:** So how does the Pope differentiate Confirmation from a simple farewell to the Church?
**Fr. Vértesaljai:** The Pope calls Confirmation the “sacrament of witness.” He wants to remind us that it’s not just an end point, but rather the start of a journey—much like getting a spiritual driver’s license. Confirmation equips individuals to engage fully in the life of the Church and share their faith with others, rather than stepping back or leaving the community.
**Interviewer:** That’s a powerful perspective. He also talked about the ancient tradition of laying on of hands during Confirmation. Could you elaborate on its significance?
**Fr. Vértesaljai:** Certainly! The laying on of hands is a profound tradition that symbolizes the transmission of the Holy Spirit. The acts of the apostles show that this was a pivotal moment during Pentecost. When we lay hands on someone during Confirmation, we’re invoking the Holy Spirit to empower them—just as it occurred in the early Church. It’s an ancient gesture that connects us to our roots.
**Interviewer:** The Pope referenced “hibernation” and how many treat Confirmation as an excuse to disengage from church life. How can the Church combat this?
**Fr. Vértesaljai:** That’s a critical question. The Church needs to foster ongoing formation and community participation beyond the Confirmation ceremony. It’s essential to guide candidates and families to understand that Confirmation is just the beginning of an active faith life. We must help them see the ongoing journey of the Holy Spirit in their lives and encourage continuous involvement in the Church’s mission.
**Interviewer:** how can we encourage a renewed passion for the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives as Pope Francis urged?
**Fr. Vértesaljai:** It starts with education—prepping candidates for Confirmation through engaging scripture studies, discussions on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and opportunities for service. We can also create spaces for ongoing spiritual growth, mentorship, and community engagement. The Holy Spirit wants to be alive in all our hearts, helping believers to not only keep the flame alive but to shine brightly in their communities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Fr. Vértesaljai, for your insights! It’s clear that the message of Confirmation is one of empowerment and growth. Let’s hope more people embrace this sacrament as a call to action rather than just a rite of passage.
**Fr. Vértesaljai:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to discuss this with you. Let’s spread the word about the active role the Holy Spirit has in our faith journey!