26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation for a few of our highschoolers at the Vigil Mass. I think this is a good occasion for all of us to reflect on the gift of the sacraments in the life of the Church. As is true of all of the sacraments, of course, the life of Grace – God’s Life – is infused within us for a particular effect in our lives. Confirmation, like Baptism and the Sacrament of Holy Orders, impart a permanent change in our being. We use the term “indelible mark.” At Confirmation, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are shared with us to help us live boldly and confidently the Christian life.

What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Let’s name them: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and the fear of the Lord. Each of these help us to truly live a Christian life, a life like that of Jesus. If you have been confirmed, the gifts are there, because the Spirit is there present with you. Many have used the analogy of two liquids needing to be stirred up to be blended together; without a stirring the mixture is present, but the denser part lays at the bottom. The Spirit’s gifts can lay dormant within us and need to be stirred up. How? Through prayer. Through works of charity. Through deeper conversion – growing apart from sin and growing in virtue. But also through asking. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out the gifts; then step out in trust! God will always provide for what we need. The gifts of the Spirit are a major part of that Providence.

If you are an adult and were never confirmed as a younger person, please note that there are opportunities to receive this powerful sacrament from the bishop. Please reach out to the parish by emailing catholicism@saintjohnpc.org. You can also go by the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee’s website at www.ptdiocese.org and look up Adult Confirmation to learn more.

Peace and good.

-Fr. Kennell