October 15 is forever marked for me as an important day in my life.
On Saturday, October 15, 2005, at approximately 6 PM, I stood before Bishop Francis Kane, with my Uncle Bernie at my side, to receive the sacrament of Confirmation underneath the great dome at Ascension Parish.
So much preparation led to this moment, and rather quickly, it was over, but not over, because something new had begun, which I couldn't yet fully conceive.
Just like happened on the first Christian Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago, so I experienced a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit that day 15 years ago, so that I would live life anew, and do so constantly anew in all the years since. In that light, my Confirmation is a truly living experience because when I put faith into action, I live out what happened that day. I've had many amazing experiences since that day, and one amazing experience keeps topping another. It's enough to leave me in a state of wonder about what could happen next.
It's amazing how God aligned the circumstances that I would be confirmed on the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila, and would sit almost directly underneath her window at Ascension Parish during my Confirmation Mass, and then, during my college years, attend a church named St. Teresa of Avila.
My understanding of faith expanded in whole new ways by participating in the community of St. Teresa's. There's no doubt that Ascension laid an important foundation with my Confirmation, and then St. Teresa's built upon it further by giving me new insights about what it means to be Roman Catholic.
In fact, October 15 this year is special for another reason: It's the 10th anniversary of when I met Bishop Dale Melczek, then the Bishop of the Diocese of Gary. I thought it fitting to celebrate the 5th anniversary of my Confirmation that year by attending the Confirmation Mass at St. Teresa's. Being part of that community helped broaden my sense of the Roman Catholic Church. When I went off to college, I had only minimally considered the existence of other dioceses outside the Archdiocese of Chicago. I could recognize dioceses in major cities, like New York City, Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Philadelphia, but never dioceses outside major metro areas, like the Diocese of Gary, which covers multiple counties in Northwest Indiana. Meeting Bishop Melczek was the first time I had ever met a US Bishop outside the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Bishop Melczek is a great homilist, as I became aware during that first time I attended Mass with him as celebrant. From what I remember, he laid out the story of God's work of salvation throughout history, and then brought it down to the Confirmation candidates before him. As I reflect on this special occasion, I recognize that part of the reason why that day was so special was that all of the work of salvation God had done throughout history became real in my life in a whole new way when I was sealed with the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit.
It's a great gift that is meant to empower us to do great things. And that was on my mind 9 days ago when I was back in the same church sanctuary where I was confirmed, standing before the new group of 8th grade RE students, and their parents, as we started a new year together. There's no doubt that my experience with the St. Teresa's community influenced my decision to start teaching RE and then continue with it, now for my 8th year, and that was on my mind as I shared a little bit about my faith experience, especially Father Kevin's Party Hard with Jesus Christ routine. It's amazing to think of what I went on to from the day of my Confirmation, and how I've been able to bring it back to those who are now preparing for Confirmation as I come alongside them to offer my support and guidance, so they can embrace what it means to put faith into action. All the while, I am in a position reminding myself of why faith is important to me, which I started to understand more deeply when I was in middle school.
Indeed, it brings me great joy, which I know is something my Uncle Bernie had noticed about me. While sorting through papers in my bedroom, I encountered a copy he gave me of a letter he sent to Father Larry, the pastor of Ascension in 2005, recommending me for Confirmation. I remember he invited me to spend time with him on Labor Day 2005. After biking on a trail near his house, we sat down together and he talked with me to ascertain what faith means to me. He was indeed very thoughtful in the way he prepare for writing that letter. In it, he mentioned how joy is overlooked sometimes in the spiritual life, and how I exhibit great joy. I've experienced so much joy putting faith into action, getting involved in the life of church community, especially with my students. I have joy because I have discovered how I can live life with purpose.
We've cycled back this year to the readings that were proclaimed at my Confirmation Mass, which will be proclaimed at Mass this coming weekend for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus responds to a questions from his adversaries by saying, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God" (Matthew 22:22). As I reflect on that statement, I realize that I bear the image of God, and my Confirmation was part of the lifelong process by which I come to more fully reflect the image of the God Who saved me by the Paschal Mystery, so that I may render unto Him myself, in a life devoted to Him, as I put faith into action. And He has chosen me specially, just as He did Cyrus, and even the Thessalonians
As I've worked with the students preparing for Confirmation in recent years, I notice one of the tasks they have to complete is to write a letter to the Bishop explaining their reasons for desiring Confirmation. That letter was not something I had to do as I prepared for Confirmation, but it's an interesting thought exercise to consider what I would have written. I probably would have written about how I had grown in appreciation of my faith since starting at Julian Middle School. Encountering people from different backgrounds, especially Jewish people, who were so open about who they were, caused me to turn inwardly and think more about who I am, including my faith, and thus appreciate it more deeply. With that new mindset, I was ready to do something bigger with my faith.
And that's why I have been celebrating so greatly today, because as special as that day was, it has found meaning it what I've done with it, and will continue to do as the Holy Spirit pours HImself out upon me, that I may be equipped for the work of God in the days and years ahead.
Thanks be to God.
