Breaking Open the Word - 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A – May 17th, 2020
Today’s readings reflect the Church’s excitement that Pentecost – her “birthday” – is drawing ever closer! For instance, the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives the main Scriptural foundation for Confirmation, the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit par excellence. We found many sources of inspiration in this beautiful passage, beginning with the theme of joy: after Philip’s preaching in Samaria, “there was joy in that city.” Deep, abiding joy is one of the unmistakable fruits of the Holy Spirit, and it is beyond the reach of external events. It’s easy to see in Acts how Jesus’ promise at the Last Supper is fulfilled: “no one will take your joy from you.” Sometimes, as in today’s reading, the joy is due to the disciples’ success in preaching the Gospel. However, the followers of Jesus even rejoice “that they were counted worthy to suffer on account of the Name.” What a model for us, their spiritual children! If we truly live out our Baptism and Confirmation, ever deepening our relationship with the Spirit, then we too can experience that profound joy in the midst of good and difficult times.
Speaking of Confirmation, many wonder why this Sacrament usually does not bring the same dramatic effects as did the coming of the Holy Spirit in Apostolic times. After all, when was the last time you saw an 8th-grade Confirmation class all speaking in tongues? Such extraordinary manifestations do occasionally happen, but for the most part this powerful Sacrament works in a much “quieter” ways. However, this does not make its effects any less extraordinary! Serious Catholics can often look back and realize that the moment of their Confirmation was truly a turning point in their lives, although they didn’t realize it at the time. Although poor sacramental preparation impedes the ability of many to appreciate and access these graces, it is never too late to ask the Holy Spirit to “activate” our Confirmation. Even those who were well-prepared and fervent at the time of receiving this Sacrament are called to constantly deepen their relationship with the Third Person of the Trinity. Imagine the powerful effects for our Church and world if we all truly embraced the power that is ours through the One Jesus calls the “Advocate”!
The Seven Sacraments: Confirmation by Nicholas Poussin
We also spent quite a while exploring the first line of the Second Reading: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” What could this mysterious phrase mean? We discussed it from a number of different angles. First of all, this verse brings to mind the concept of enthroning Christ as Lord of our lives – as one Act of Spiritual Communion puts it, “Be King, O Lord, of my heart.” If He is truly our Lord, then all our decisions and actions will center on Him. The larger context of the passage is also illuminating on this point. St. Peter is writing about undergoing persecution and suffering, and it is in the midst of this that we are to “sanctify Christ as Lord in [our] hearts.” The King Who was crowned with thorns shows His Lordship most particularly in times of suffering, when He helps us to carry our crosses with the dignity of a child of God.
However, this verse also begs the question, “How can we, who are sinners, sanctify Christ, the All-Holy?” This question is treated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2626-2627.The Catechism speaks of the phrase “to bless God,” which at first sounds like a contradiction. However, the type of prayer called blessing (sanctifying) is actually a human response to God’s blessing (sanctifying) action upon us: “because God blesses, the human heart can in return bless the One who is the source of every blessing.” The specific word “sanctify” has an added level of meaning: “to set apart.” When we sanctify Christ, we are setting Him up above all else in our lives, acknowledging that He is our center and Lord.