God is not dead.
Of course He was only dead in my fearful mind. Jesus Christ has risen. Happy Easter!
I would like to share the advice given to me (what i can remember) and the group of catechists for confirmation and first holy communion, by the Most Reverend Bishop Jan van Burgsteden SSS. After asking about my profession, and nodding, the amicable elder suggested going into the mass without either physical stress or mental stress. Let go of reason, thinking, which will of course be very important, but not now. Let go of reason and be truly present for what happens. Listen. Don't think about what is being said, rather let the words enter, calm and inspire. He confessed that he always went into mass not thinking about what he wanted to say, rather, he simple read, line by line, from the Bible and let the Holy Ghost inspire him. He took his time getting to know us, just as he did on his visit to the catechism course when he spoke on the Holy Ghost. This was a powerful night for us and all we had to do was be open to it, he said. Open our hearts and let the ever present Holy Ghost in and know that on this night hundreds across Europe were opening their hearts through baptism and confirmation and prayer. We were one.
On the confirmation name 'Franciscus', he smiled. A holy man and patron saint of this church, St. Franciscus Xavier. Did i know about him? A great man to be studied and admired for following Jesus.
Later, at the altar rails, he grasped my hand and congratulated me with my path. St. Francis, a poor man and yet so very close to Jesus. A huge man and yet so humble. If i applied myself to getting to know this saint from Assisi, he had much to tell. Listen. Then he and the other priests laid their hands on our heads. Upon my head. Warmth. Intimate. Powerful.
Later, kneeling before the seated monsignor at the altar, urging me to come closer, shooing away others who might be listening, my forehead wet with oil, my noise full of the scent of cinnamon, he whispered to me once again. Did i read the morning paper or watch the morning news? Don't, he suggested. Listen instead to God in stillness, God who was always talking to us, but are so distracted and self-interested that we don't hear Him. Listen and let His Holy Spirit in.
Then the renewing of our baptismal vows with water: front and centre, we bore the brunt of this enthusiastic bishop's first 'sprinkling' of the congregation. I smiled as the water ran down my face. He would have us all plunged into the Jordan, me thinks.
I wish i could remember more, but the ceremony happened so fast ... even if it was a marathon of two and a half hours!
Like St. Francis, i didn't expect to be a different person this morning. The Lent fast has meant a lot to me, the confirmation a highlight, yet these mile stones are passed on the way. It is the way that changes a person who is open for change. It is a process like the fermentation of grape juice into good wine. 'A pilgrimage', pope Benedict often calls the Christian life. Letting go of distractions and worldly things so that one can focus on that which is real and true and life-giving, such as the poor, bare-footed mendicant St. Francis. Transformation with small steps, vigilant, mindful, with setbacks yet also with insightful contrition, always forward together with church and of course our guiding light, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.
Deo gratias.
Of course He was only dead in my fearful mind. Jesus Christ has risen. Happy Easter!
I would like to share the advice given to me (what i can remember) and the group of catechists for confirmation and first holy communion, by the Most Reverend Bishop Jan van Burgsteden SSS. After asking about my profession, and nodding, the amicable elder suggested going into the mass without either physical stress or mental stress. Let go of reason, thinking, which will of course be very important, but not now. Let go of reason and be truly present for what happens. Listen. Don't think about what is being said, rather let the words enter, calm and inspire. He confessed that he always went into mass not thinking about what he wanted to say, rather, he simple read, line by line, from the Bible and let the Holy Ghost inspire him. He took his time getting to know us, just as he did on his visit to the catechism course when he spoke on the Holy Ghost. This was a powerful night for us and all we had to do was be open to it, he said. Open our hearts and let the ever present Holy Ghost in and know that on this night hundreds across Europe were opening their hearts through baptism and confirmation and prayer. We were one.
On the confirmation name 'Franciscus', he smiled. A holy man and patron saint of this church, St. Franciscus Xavier. Did i know about him? A great man to be studied and admired for following Jesus.
Later, at the altar rails, he grasped my hand and congratulated me with my path. St. Francis, a poor man and yet so very close to Jesus. A huge man and yet so humble. If i applied myself to getting to know this saint from Assisi, he had much to tell. Listen. Then he and the other priests laid their hands on our heads. Upon my head. Warmth. Intimate. Powerful.
Later, kneeling before the seated monsignor at the altar, urging me to come closer, shooing away others who might be listening, my forehead wet with oil, my noise full of the scent of cinnamon, he whispered to me once again. Did i read the morning paper or watch the morning news? Don't, he suggested. Listen instead to God in stillness, God who was always talking to us, but are so distracted and self-interested that we don't hear Him. Listen and let His Holy Spirit in.
Then the renewing of our baptismal vows with water: front and centre, we bore the brunt of this enthusiastic bishop's first 'sprinkling' of the congregation. I smiled as the water ran down my face. He would have us all plunged into the Jordan, me thinks.
I wish i could remember more, but the ceremony happened so fast ... even if it was a marathon of two and a half hours!
Like St. Francis, i didn't expect to be a different person this morning. The Lent fast has meant a lot to me, the confirmation a highlight, yet these mile stones are passed on the way. It is the way that changes a person who is open for change. It is a process like the fermentation of grape juice into good wine. 'A pilgrimage', pope Benedict often calls the Christian life. Letting go of distractions and worldly things so that one can focus on that which is real and true and life-giving, such as the poor, bare-footed mendicant St. Francis. Transformation with small steps, vigilant, mindful, with setbacks yet also with insightful contrition, always forward together with church and of course our guiding light, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.
Deo gratias.
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