Bishop takes the Holy
Chrism puts it on forehead of confirmandi
Be sealed with the
Gift of the Holy Spirit
Jewish friends called
the feast Pentecost 50
Originally
celebrating the barley harvest.
Later the giving of
the Law
After Passover –
wandered 40 days in desert
Moses went up Mount
Sinai – after 10 days – he came down with 10 commandments “heaven has come down to earth”
Same way – after
Resurrection Jesus spent 40 days on earth –
Returned to heaven –
the Ascension. 10 days later
heaven comes down to
earth again – now: the Holy Spirit
1st law was
written in stone - this new law written
on minds and hearts
Sinai was for Israel
- Pentecost is Israel & for the
whole world!
Speak of receiving 7
gifts of the Holy Spirit.
They are gifts –
given by Holy Spirit – as long as we stay in the state of grace, they are very
much active!
- They help us to
become holy - help us share in the very life of God now & in eternal life
- they enable us to
follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit
- they make perfect
virtues of Faith, hope & love
1) Wisdom - seek out wise people to understand life - seek
the wisdom of God
2) Understanding
- see the hand of God at work in my life
& to trust!!!
3) Counsel – to judge
individual acts – is this good – or
evil
4) Fortitude – to
overcome difficulties or endure pain & suffering with strength from God
5) Knowledge – use
created things in holy and good way – see God who created them
6) Piety – worship
God and see each other as children of God – justice!
7) Wonder and Awe –
Fear of the Lord - do not want to be
separated from God - a healthy fear
Augustine soon after conversion walking down street in Milan.
A person he committed
many sins with called out
“Augustine!” “It is I!”
Augustine “Yes, but it is no longer I”
A new creation -- why
we say Come Holy Spirit!
