(Continuing a series of reflections on the Sacraments)

Confirmation (part 3)

During the life of Jesus, and after his death and resurrection, his followers began to know and love him. They began to find in his teaching the answer to the questions and problems they encountered in their lives and the authentic ground of their being. When they witnessed his resurrection, they were increasingly compelled to follow him. At Pentecost they found suddenly they had the courage to speak out and the strength to build a Christian community. The power of Jesus indwelt them in a way that made them bold to tell others of the truth they had come to know. This was the experience of being filled with the Spirit of Christ.

The New Testament contains many instances of the Apostles laying hands on new believers to share with them the gift of the Spirit. The new believers accepted the invitation to become followers of Christ by being baptised and confirmed in their faith with the laying on of hands. So it is with us. We respond to the call of Jesus, which comes in many ways, we are baptised into the community of faith, and at Confirmation, the Bishop, as the successor of the Apostles lays his hands on our heads to ‘inspire’ us (literally put the Spirit in us) to live and to proclaim the Gospel.