Bishop Barron on the Sacrament of Confirmation

Summary

In this homily on Confirmation, the bishop explores the five promises made during the sacrament, focusing on their spiritual significance. He emphasizes renouncing worldly pursuits like wealth, power, pleasure, and honor, and instead dedicating one’s life to God’s love and purpose. The bishop highlights the importance of publicly affirming faith in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and stresses the revolutionary nature of declaring Jesus as Lord. He also underscores the role of the Church as a living, organic body, and the permanent identity bestowed by Confirmation, symbolized by the Chrism oil and the cross.

Takeaways

• 😀 Confirmation is a sacrament of renewal, where candidates publicly reaffirm their baptismal promises before God and the Church.
• 😀 The first promise in Confirmation is to renounce Satan and his empty promises, particularly the false promises of wealth, power, pleasure, and honor.
• 😀 The world often equates happiness with material success, but the homily emphasizes that true happiness is found in surrendering to God's will, not worldly pursuits.
• 😀 The Crucifix is highlighted as a symbol of true fulfillment, contrasting the idolization of wealth and fame in the culture.
• 😀 Belief in God the Father means recognizing life as not just about personal desires, but about aligning with God's greater purpose for humanity.
• 😀 Declaring Jesus Christ as Lord is a radical claim, as it asserts that Jesus is the ultimate authority in one's life, rejecting other lords like power, money, or fame.
• 😀 The Holy Spirit is described as the love that connects the Father and the Son, and the sacrament of Confirmation invites candidates to grow in love rather than material gain.
• 😀 Belief in the Holy Catholic Church signifies membership in the living Body of Christ, with a call to actively participate in the Church's mission in the world.
• 😀 Confirmation is a character sacrament, meaning it leaves a permanent mark on the individual, signifying their new identity as a disciple of Christ.
• 😀 The anointing with Chrism oil during Confirmation is a symbolic ‘branding,’ marking the candidate as belonging to Jesus and committing to live out the promises made.

Q & A

What is the bishop's primary reflection during confirmation season?

The bishop finds joy in presiding over confirmations but also notes the challenge of delivering the same homily multiple times. He aims to vary his message to keep it fresh and relevant for the candidates, focusing on different angles of the sacrament.

What is the significance of the reaffirmation of baptismal promises in confirmation?

The reaffirmation of baptismal promises is an important moment when young people take personal responsibility for their faith. Previously made by parents and godparents, these promises are now declared by the candidates themselves, marking their commitment in the presence of the Church.

Why does the bishop focus on the idea of renouncing Satan and his empty promises?

The bishop highlights that the first promise in confirmation is to renounce Satan and his empty promises, which often appear in the forms of wealth, power, pleasure, and honor. He points out how these false ideals are prevalent in culture but ultimately fail to bring lasting happiness.

How does the bishop explain the false promises of wealth, power, honor, and pleasure?

The bishop explains that while wealth, power, honor, and pleasure are often presented as keys to happiness in society, they do not bring true fulfillment. He contrasts this with the example of Jesus on the cross, who rejected these things, showing that happiness and joy come from aligning with God's purposes.

What does the bishop mean by saying that belief in God means 'your life is not about you'?

The bishop explains that belief in God signifies a shift from self-centeredness to a broader perspective where one's life is dedicated to God's purposes. As we mature, we become aware of our obligations to family, community, society, and ultimately God, finding joy in surrendering to His plan.

What does it mean to say 'Jesus is Lord' according to the bishop?

The bishop emphasizes that declaring 'Jesus is Lord' is a radical and revolutionary act. It means that Christ is the ultimate authority in one's life, above all other powers, ideals, and worldly pursuits. This claim can be subversive, as it challenges dominant cultural narratives and systems of power.

How does the bishop use Bob Dylan's song in the homily?

The bishop references Bob Dylan's song, 'You Gotta Serve Somebody,' to illustrate the idea that everyone serves a master or authority in life, whether it's money, fame, or ideology. By declaring Jesus as Lord, the candidates affirm their commitment to serving Christ above all else.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the confirmation sacrament?

The bishop explains that the Holy Spirit is the love that connects the Father and the Son. When candidates affirm their belief in the Holy Spirit, they are committing to a life dedicated to increasing their capacity for love, rather than pursuing material wealth or honor.

What does the bishop mean by the church being a 'living body'?

The bishop contrasts the church with a voluntary organization or club, emphasizing that the Church is a living organism, the body of Christ. By confirming their faith, candidates become integral parts of this body, with an obligation to contribute to the ongoing work of Jesus in the world.

Why is confirmation described as a 'character sacrament'?

Confirmation is referred to as a 'character sacrament' because it marks the individual permanently, like a brand. It creates an indelible spiritual mark on the candidate, signifying their belonging to Christ and their commitment to the promises they have publicly declared.