“Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
Romans 13:11
Congratulations to our newly confirmed youth. And thanks to their catechists and parents who prepared and accompanied them along their way to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit through this sacrament.
Each of them chose a patron saint at the time of their Confirmation – a new name alongside their baptismal name. In looking at the lives of these saints, they found connections and similarities with their own lives, interests and dreams. In their confirmation saints, they saw examples of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in real lives.
At the beginning of this Advent season, St. Paul reminds us of two significant truths in our second reading. We have put on Christ, and our salvation is drawing near.
Like our newly confirmed, each of us “put on Christ” when we were baptized. The white garment the priest wears at Mass is a reminder of the baptismal garment of all the faithful. But it is not merely an outward symbol that we put on and take off. At a Catholic funeral, the body of the deceased is again covered with a white cloth, a reminder that being “clothed in Christ” brought this man or woman into a new relationship with God in Christ.
“Putting on Christ” is not the end result of our moral striving. It is the beginning of our new life in Him. Because God has clothed us with the grace of His Son, we have the power to live a godly life. Bishop Dewane taught our newly confirmed that they were now called to make a response of faith to God who poured his grace on them in Baptism, and now poured out the Holy Spirit in power through the sacrament of Confirmation. BECAUSE we have been clothed in Christ and received the Holy Spirit in power, we are able to live a changed life, and change the world by the power of God’s love and grace alive in us.
“Our salvation is nearer than when we first accepted the faith.” St. Paul teaches us that our faith is not an object or a possession we receive and put somewhere. Our faith is a way of life, leading toward salvation. This season of Advent gives each of us an opportunity to consider where we are on this walk of faith. Am I walking today by God’s grace, or am I looking somewhere else for the strength and guidance I need? Am I walking toward that salvation which is drawing nearer, or is my attention fixed on other things of little or no value?
Like the season of Advent, may our newly confirmed also give us all a chance to consider Paul’s teaching. Having been clothed in Christ, am I walking today in faith? Do I follow good examples to assist me, so I can be a help to others on the way to faith? Our salvation is indeed drawing near. With God’s grace and the help of one another, may each of us make a next good step on that way of salvation which is Christ Jesus himself.\
-Fr. Tom
