Beloved:
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
Pentecost wind! Pentecost flame!
What Gift? = Spirit “in us”, received in confirmation – laying on of hands
Fire = love – purifying and purging – warmth for heart and light for mind – propulsion (rocket!), mission
Remind – DPC, most forget – yet reminder not firstly about doctrine but life, relationship. We experience the Spirit more than we know Him.
for God gave us a spirit not of fear,
but of power and love and self-control.
Fear – Timothy and opposition to Paul and scandal of Cross – still a scandal today – much of Gospel & Church’s teaching is opposed because it demands renunciation of self-will, selfishness, and obedience to God, i.e. the Cross.
Power and love and self-control:
– in NT power is a synonym for Spirit – wherewithal of God, “can do”
– love is also a synonym for Spirit – selfless, self-outpouring love for the other
– self-control – not so much a brake on passions as capacity to gauge with prudence how to act in the face of opposition.
Confirmation grace of Spirit doesn’t permit us to be afraid – to give in to fear means we bury gift in ground – leads to judgment.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord,
nor of me his prisoner,
but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
Fear leads to shame – not wanting to be associated with testimony of Lord, the Cross – nor with those who advance it, like Paul
Share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God – the power of God is the Spirit – soldiers for Christ (slap in the face) – Spirit led Christ to Cross – will lead us – not allow us to be afraid or ashamed – unworthy of Christ, Cross and selves.
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me,
in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us,
guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Spirit keeps us faithful to Gospel received from Christ through apostles – we are to guard it, with our minds, hearts and lives if necessary
Conversations in Spirit about confirmation – invitation to fan into a flame
We fan by praying to the Spirit to help us use the gift received, the using of it.
Spirit is Gift who gives gifts:
Gift of Wisdom – Spirit helps us to know how to apply the truth of God to our lives – to “translate” Christ Himself into our lives – the Saints!
Gift of Understanding – enables us to grasp deeply with our minds the truths of God – St. Paul!
Gift of Counsel – to discern what is right and wrong and act accordingly, especially in difficult situations – supernatural gift of prudence guiding to decisions in line with God’s will – St. Ignatius of Loyola!
Gift of Fortitude – the spiritual strength and courage to face and endure suffering, overcome fears, persevere in doing what is right in the face of opposition – martyrs!
Gift of Knowledge – the Lord enables us spiritually to receive and understand the Word of God resulting in increased knowledge of the ways and truth of God – Evangelists! St. Thomas Aquinas and Augustine.
Gift of Piety – the grace to enter into a deep and filial relationship with God as a loving Father, offering Him gratitude and praise – St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Charles Foucauld.
Gift of the Fear of the Lord – the grace of a profound reverence and love for God which leads us to avoid sin out of a desire not to offend God – the Saints!
We have this vast treasury within us as the result of Confirmation. Let’s use the Bishop’s invitation to focus on this Sacrament to fan into a flame all these wonderful gifts. The Spirit Himself will help us if we truly want to work with Him. So, let’s unleash the Spirit in our lives and in our parish!