Being Strengthened by the Holy Spirit

As we approach the end of the Easter season, our readings begin to focus on the descent of the Holy Spirit that awaits us on Pentecost. For instance, today’s first reading recounts believers receiving the Holy Spirit after Peter and John laid their hands on them.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “the imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the Sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church” (CCC 1288). The Biblical roots of the Sacrament of Confirmation allow us to reflect on its significance in our own lives, 2,000 years later.

Similarly, The Second Vatican Council says that through “the Sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit” (Lumen Gentium, 11).

With this in mind, there is comfort in knowing that through confirmation, the Spirit has strengthened us. When it is difficult to persevere, or worries surrounding the pandemic weigh heavily, let us continually ask the Holy Spirit to carry us forward.

The Holy Spirit longs to dwell within us all, let us pray for an enkindling among all the faithful. In a special way, let us pray that the many young people whose confirmation has been postponed will have their desire for the Holy Spirit grow during this time of waiting.

Summary

In today’s first reading we hear the Biblical roots of confirmation, as believers received the Holy Spirit after Peter and John laid their hands on them. The Second Vatican Council says that those who receive the sacrament “are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.” When we find it difficult to persevere, or our worries surrounding the pandemic weigh heavily, let us continually ask the Holy Spirit to carry us forward. In a special way, let us pray for the candidates for confirmation for whom the sacrament has been postponed, that their desire to receive the Spirit may be increased during this time of waiting.

Readings

• First Reading: Acts 8.5-8, 14-17
• Second Reading: 1 Peter 3.15-18
• Gospel: John 14.15-21 – The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Craig Fernandes, a former seminarian at St. Augustine’s Seminary, is now an engineering Master’s student at the University of Toronto.