On Saturday, I had the great pleasure and privilege of conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation on some of our young adults of our two parishes of Redbourn and Wheathampstead. In general, the sacrament of Confirmation is reserved to a Bishop, so a parish priest does not often get to confer Confirmation. I must admit I couldn’t help thinking about “days of yore” when a Bishop would sit on his horse and give Confirmation to the people, the local priest had gathered together. Those were simpler days, yet also there were plagues and sickness to deal with.
The Faith continues.
During the ceremony on Saturday, the candidates were asked to formally state the essential belief of being a Catholic follower of Christ.
In the Gospel of today, we read of the religious and community leaders trying to disconnect Jesus and disconnect him from the people once again, Jesus cuts to the essence of the question about the greatest commandment. How profoundly simple is his answer – “love God with your whole being, mind and body and soul”. Then Jesus brings to life the “action of the Law by telling those listening to love their neighbour as themselves. Therefore, Jesus opens up the Law so that every person can understand and follow the Law and commandments.
In the Psalm, is an ancient echo of what Christ taught with these phrases “I love you Lord my strength” and “My God is the rock where I take refuge” and “He was given great victories to his king and shown his love for his anointed”
This day and these times, it is good to remember our Baptism and our Confirmation. These two connected sacraments are our strength and our hope for action in our lives. In Jesus Christ we find the meaning of life.
On the way to the Confirmation I did look into the fields, but I did not see any horses available, maybe another time.
This week I will read about Baptism and Confirmation.
With love and prayers.
Fr Michael