The Constant Working of the Spirit for 16 Years

October 15 marked a true Kairos experience in my life, the day of my Confirmation.  I have celebrated it like my own birthday because it has proved so significant as a culmination of a path that led me to that day and for how it has shaped the path I have journeyed since then.

I listened to an episode of The Inner Life on Relevant Radio recently, in which there was a discussion about baptism and Confirmation.  One major idea in the discussion was how these sacraments awaken us to the reality of God's living presence, which comes to dwell in us as His Chosen People.

Indeed, I have regarded the experience of Confirmation as a lived experience that persists.  

So coming to this anniversary once again invites me to consider what Confirmation means for me.  As I reflect on the occasion, I recognize at that moment, I was sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which I receive so that I can bear the fruit of the Spirit in such a way so that God is manifest in the world.

And in the midst of life's challenges, the Holy Spirit provides consolation that sustains me to face those challenges and continue the important work.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit works in me to build upon the foundation laid in the initiation sacraments.

Notably, October 15 is the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila, the patron saint of the Church I attended during my years at Valparaiso University.  During those years, I came to realize how much more there was to learn about faith and new perspectives that come with that learning.

I have come to see learning in a whole new light as a Religious Education teacher, now for my 9th year.  I've gotten off to a great start for this year.  Certainly, it's good to be back in the classroom together.  I'm also blessed that I've been able to establish a good relationship with the students in my class and connect with them so well right away.

And I'm pleased with opportunities to continue connecting with my former students.  I went to a bake sale at the Oak Park Farmers' Market recently, held by the female cross country team at OPRFHS.  I was pleased to see a few of my students who are part of that team, and to have the chance to buy baked goods and support the team.

I marvel at how the circle of life moves us along, as I reconnect with former students and connect with new students, and engage with each new group in new and amazing ways.

During our second class this year, we went on a field trip to tour the church.  As I walked them around and showed them different parts of the space, I was amazed at all the great questions they spontaneously asked about other things they noticed beyond what I was mentioning.

One aspect of faith I've appreciated is the Roman Catholic understanding of how God is incarnational.  He came to us physically in Christ, and there are so many tangible elements to our experience of faith, like the visible aspects of the sacraments, such as the water of baptism, and the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.

Furthermore, as an RE teacher, I've come to see religion connecting with various aspects of my life and the world around me.  One of my customs that I've developed for the first class of a new RE year is to share about what I did over the summer, and connect it with aspects of faith, as a way to see how God is present everywhere.

Indeed, teaching RE has kept me in touch with that sense of faith springing fresh and ever new as the Spirit continues to be at work, making God manifest all around me.