12
Jun
ONE GOD, THREE PERSONS. In the mystery of Trinity, we profess our Faith in One God, Three Equal Persons, yet the essence of this mystery remains beyond human comprehension. This is not to say we know nothing about God, for God has revealed Godself to us in many ways. Through Scripture and the Sacraments, we come to know – and to even share in – the life of the Trinity. Since our parish celebrates Confirmation this time of year, we offer our prayers for the newly confirmed by reflecting on one of the three sets of orations provided for this Sacrament.
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Collect – For the Conferral of Confirmation – A Grant, we pray, almighty and merciful God, or: Fulfill for us your gracious promise, O Lord, |
A PERFECT TEMPLE & WITNESS. Who is not awed by the site of the New York City skyline, or the monuments in Washington, D.C., or Basilicas like Sacred Heart in Newark or Saint Peter in Rome, or ancient palaces and castles? These structures are testimonies to human ingenuity, generosity, workmanship – and the God-given abilities with which we are gifted and develop.
As Saint Paul said of all who have become spiritual people by receiving the Holy Spirit: “For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9]. Should not we, who are Temples of the Holy Spirit, also be witnesses of His Spirit working in and through us? Should not people be awed by us, who claim to be channels of the Spirit? With the help of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom and understanding, counsel and fortitude, knowledge and piety and a respectful fear of the Lord – we have all we need to be ‘walking-talking’ Bibles – the very presence of the God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
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Prayer over the Offerings – Conferral of Confirmation – A Receive in your mercy, O Lord, the prayers |
CONFORMED MORE PERFECTLY TO CHRIST. In His DIVINE nature, Christ needed no help in accomplishing His mission, resisting Satan and all his empty promises, or remaining steadfast in accepting and fulfilling His Father’s will … however, in His HUMAN nature, it was a totally different story, for as He said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [Matthew 26:41b] Without the help of the Holy Spirit, and without the graces and blessings we receive each time we receive Holy Communion or “the memorial of his redemption,” we are doomed from the get-go! And notice how this oration presumes we will not attain perfection at once, for as it says, we “grow steadily in bearing witness to [Christ].”
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Prayer after Communion – Conferral of Confirmation – A Accompany with your blessing from this day |
HELP BUILD GOD’S KINGDOM ON EARTH. All Sacraments are gifts, grace-filled gifts, given by God who rightfully expects [dare I say, demands!] that they be used as intended and for the common good. In His providential care, the Spirit distributes the gifts according to what is needed and in keeping with each person’s ability, state or situation in life, personality, etc. God promises to also help us overcome our fears and the forces that seek to stymie or squash our God-given gifts. We pray that all the Confirmed will trust that God always keeps His promises and will help them use the gifts He entrusts to them to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS
ONE GOD, THREE PERSONS. In the mystery of Trinity, we profess our Faith in One God, Three Equal Persons, yet the essence of this mystery remains beyond human comprehension. This is not to say we know nothing about God, for God has revealed Godself to us in many ways. Through Scripture and the Sacraments, we come to know – and to even share in – the life of the Trinity. Since our parish celebrates Confirmation this time of year, we offer our prayers for the newly confirmed by reflecting on one of the three sets of orations provided for this Sacrament.
|
Collect – For the Conferral of Confirmation – A Grant, we pray, almighty and merciful God, or: Fulfill for us your gracious promise, O Lord, |
A PERFECT TEMPLE & WITNESS. Who is not awed by the site of the New York City skyline, or the monuments in Washington, D.C., or Basilicas like Sacred Heart in Newark or Saint Peter in Rome, or ancient palaces and castles? These structures are testimonies to human ingenuity, generosity, workmanship – and the God-given abilities with which we are gifted and develop.
As Saint Paul said of all who have become spiritual people by receiving the Holy Spirit: “For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9]. Should not we, who are Temples of the Holy Spirit, also be witnesses of His Spirit working in and through us? Should not people be awed by us, who claim to be channels of the Spirit? With the help of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom and understanding, counsel and fortitude, knowledge and piety and a respectful fear of the Lord – we have all we need to be ‘walking-talking’ Bibles – the very presence of the God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
|
Prayer over the Offerings – Conferral of Confirmation – A Receive in your mercy, O Lord, the prayers |
CONFORMED MORE PERFECTLY TO CHRIST. In His DIVINE nature, Christ needed no help in accomplishing His mission, resisting Satan and all his empty promises, or remaining steadfast in accepting and fulfilling His Father’s will … however, in His HUMAN nature, it was a totally different story, for as He said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [Matthew 26:41b] Without the help of the Holy Spirit, and without the graces and blessings we receive each time we receive Holy Communion or “the memorial of his redemption,” we are doomed from the get-go! And notice how this oration presumes we will not attain perfection at once, for as it says, we “grow steadily in bearing witness to [Christ].”
|
Prayer after Communion – Conferral of Confirmation – A Accompany with your blessing from this day |
HELP BUILD GOD’S KINGDOM ON EARTH. All Sacraments are gifts, grace-filled gifts, given by God who rightfully expects [dare I say, demands!] that they be used as intended and for the common good. In His providential care, the Spirit distributes the gifts according to what is needed and in keeping with each person’s ability, state or situation in life, personality, etc. God promises to also help us overcome our fears and the forces that seek to stymie or squash our God-given gifts. We pray that all the Confirmed will trust that God always keeps His promises and will help them use the gifts He entrusts to them to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS