Ask deacon mike

Sometimes I like to take a break from my usual format and share with you some thoughts or recent experiences. This past Monday we had the wonderful privilege to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation here at our parish. Nearly one hundred of our children completed their initiation into the Church. This initiation all began at their Baptism when most of them were just infants. When they reached the 2^nd grade they received their First Holy Communion. Now, they have completed their full initiation into the Church as the sacrament of Confirmation was conferred upon them by Bishop Joseph McFadden.

As we all know it is in this great sacrament of Confirmation that we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives we possess the graces we need to confront any and all temptations and other occasions of sin that the devil throws our way. This is not easy. It means we need to dig deep into our soul to determine the level of our desire to resist the evils that confront us. If we truly wish to avoid them then the grace of the Holy Spirit will strengthen us to do so. But it is not my purpose here to give a theology lesson. What I want to do here is share with you some of my observations from the Confirmation Mass and also share a conversation that I recently had concerning how the Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of some people who are new to our faith.

As I stood in the back of church while the choir sang the opening song, Come Holy Ghost, I was struck with wonder and joy about what was about to happen. As we sang Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest and in our hearts take up Thy rest the procession of ministers began to slowly move down the center isle. While I tightly held high the Book of the Gospels I was overcome with anticipation as to what was about to take place. The Bishop would soon invoke the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of these young people. But fill their hearts with what?

Perhaps that is a tough question to answer. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives it is not a physical or even an emotional reaction that takes place. We don’t necessarily feel suddenly enlightened or inspired. No, I would venture to say that most of the time we may not even be aware that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. While we can be certain that the graces of the Spirit are ours, we must place ourselves in a position where we are open to being aware of the Spirit’s presence. Let me give you an example:

I was with our candidates in the RCIA the other night and we were talking about the Holy Spirit. I told them that even though they may not have been aware of it, they each had a common experience of the Holy Spirit working in their lives. Then I asked them to think about it and then share with us what it might be. They all thought for a while then one of them said “The Holy Spirit led us to be here.” What a powerful moment for all of us there. This might have been their first awareness that the Holy Spirit does exist in them. How much more powerful will this awareness be once they are baptized and confirmed? How about you? Think of those times when you were aware that the Holy Spirit was working in your life. How did you feel? What did it motivate you to do?

As the Confirmation Mass progressed the Bishop led those to be confirmed in the renewal of their baptismal promises. I thought to myself that only the power of the Holy Spirit could enable us to reject Satan and all his works and empty promises. While the Bishop confirmed each person the choir sang various songs appropriate for the occasion. Then they began to sing one of my favorite hymns: Surely the Presence of The Lord Is In This Place. I must admit that my eyes filled with tears as I listened to their beautiful voices blend in harmony as they sang: Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel His mighty power and His grace. I can hear the brush of angel’s wings; I see glory on each face. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

Amidst the beauty of our church, the sweetness of song, the presence of hundreds of people in prayer and the action of the bishop the Holy Spirit came to these children and strengthened their souls so that they can live as God’s sons and daughters. Let us continue to pray for them and for all who are sealed with the sign of the Holy Spirit that all will be open to the actions of the Spirit in their lives.

If you have any questions or topics that you would like for me to address please contact me in any of these ways: 1) Send an e-mail to deaconmikefranks@comcast.net, 2) drop a note in the Sunday collection basket or 3) send your question or comment to my attention at the rectory. Please use the last two options if you want to stay anonymous. In any case, I will not divulge anyone’s identify. Thank you and God bless you. And as always, I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks