Location: St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ; you have finally arrived at this sacred moment, in which the Holy Spirit comes to rest more fully upon you, just as it was promised by the prophets of old and fulfilled at Pentecost. The Word of God today reminds us of the immense gift you receive and the mission to which we are called.
In the first reading, from Joel, the prophet speaks of a time when God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, enabling His people to prophesy, dream dreams, and see. To prophesy is to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us, making God’s presence known in a world yearning for truth. Each of you, through your Baptism, was brought into God’s saving plan. Today, through Confirmation, you are empowered to live it out boldly, discerning His voice amidst the complexities of life and the world.
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, beautifully proclaims that the Holy Spirit is the “seal” of God, marking us as His own. This seal is not merely a sign but a spiritual reality: it strengthens our union with Christ, deepens our bond with the Church, and equips us to be witnesses to the Gospel. The Holy Spirit, described as a Spirit of wisdom and revelation, opens “the eyes of your hearts” so that you may fully grasp the hope and riches of your calling as missionary disciples of Jesus.
This calling is unique to each of you. As you receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Church commissions you to be Christ’s hands and voice in the world. The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop, who was established as a sign of unity, catholicity, and apostolicity of the Church. The bishop is the sacramental connection with the apostolic origins of the Church established by Christ.
This highlights the strengthening – by this sacrament – of your participation in the communion of the Body of Christ.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord – are bestowed upon you to guide and empower you. These gifts are certainly for your personal sanctification, but only through your steadfast determination to partake in the building up of the Body of Christ and the transformation of the world according to God’s Word. Pope Francis has said that remaining steadfast in the journey of faith, with firm hope in the Lord, “is the secret of our journey! He gives us the courage to swim against the tide.”
In the Gospel, Jesus assures us that He sends the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, to guide us. This Holy Spirit will enable you to proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all nations, just as today’s Psalm exhorts.
As you receive the sacred anointing, remember: you are marked indelibly as Christ’s own. Go forth with courage, live as true witnesses of His love, and let the Holy Spirit guide your every step.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for you, for your lives to shine with the light of Christ, proclaiming His presence to all.
