The Octave Day of Christmas, January 1, 2017

Painting: …..The nativity with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost

The Octave Day of Christmas, January 1, 2017
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Lectionary: 18

The first reading is from Numbers 6:22-27

  

The LORD said to Moses:  "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:   This is how you shall bless the Israelites.  Say to them:  The LORD bless you and keep you!  The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!  The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!  So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,  and I will bless them."

  

Responsorial Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

 R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

 May the nations be glad and exult

because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

The second reading is from Galatians 4:4-7

  

Brothers and sisters:  When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  to  ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"  So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Alleluia   Hebrews 1:1-2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 

The Gospel according to Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.  All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.  And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen,  just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Top of Form

203 THE MEANING OF HOLY CHRISM IN CONFIRMATION - part 2 of 5

YOUCAT Lesson 203, part 2 of 5 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

The Sacrament of Confirmation

203  What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the sacrament that completes Baptism; in it the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us.  Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God’s child and asks for God’s Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with chrism receives the strength to witness to God’s love and might in word and deed.  He is now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church.  [1285-1314]

Stained glass: …..The Good Samaritan ……….”He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.” (Luke 10:34) …..203

…….II. THE SIGNS AND THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION

…….1293 In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal. –CCC

Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy;(compare Deuteronomy 11:14; Psalm 23:5; Ps 104:15)¹⁰³   it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; (compare Isaiah 1:6;  Luke 10:34)¹⁰⁴    and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength. -–CCC

…..1294   Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life. The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort. The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is, those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off "the aroma of Christ."(2 Corinthians 2:15)¹⁰⁵ –CCC

…….1295   By this anointing the confirmand receives the "mark," the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign of personal authority, or ownership of an object.(compare Genesis 38:18; Gen 41:42; Deuteronomy 32:34; Catechesi Tradendae 8:6)¹⁰⁶    Hence soldiers were marked with their leader's seal and slaves with their master's. A seal authenticates a juridical act or document and occasionally makes it secret.(compare 1 Kings 21:8; Jeremiah 32:10; Isaiah 29:11)¹⁰⁷ –CCC

……1296   Christ himself declared that he was marked with his Father's seal.(compare John 6:27)¹⁰⁸    Christians are also marked with a seal: "It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has commissioned us; he has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."(2 Corinthians 1:21-22; compare  Ephesians 1:13; Eph 4,30)¹⁰⁹    This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial.(compare Revelation 7:2-3; Rev 9:4; Ezekiel 9:4-6)¹¹⁰ –CCC

…….The celebration of Confirmation

…….1297   The consecration of the sacred chrism is an important action that precedes the celebration of Confirmation, but is in a certain way a part of it. It is the bishop who, in the course of the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, consecrates the sacred chrism for his whole diocese. In some Eastern Churches this consecration is even reserved to the patriarch:

The liturgy of Antioch expresses the epiclesis for the consecration of the sacred chrism (myron) in this way: "[Father . . . send your Holy Spirit] on us and on this oil which is before us and consecrate it, so that it may be for all who are anointed and marked with it holy myron, priestly myron, royal myron, anointing with gladness, clothing with light, a cloak of salvation, a spiritual gift, the sanctification of souls and bodies, imperishable happiness, the indelible seal, a buckler of faith, and a fearsome helmet against all the works of the adversary." –CCC

…….1298   When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, as is the case in the Roman Rite, the Liturgy of Confirmation begins with the renewal of baptismal promises and the profession of faith by the confirmands. This clearly shows that Confirmation follows Baptism. (compare Sacrosanctum Concilium 71) ¹¹¹    When adults are baptized, they immediately receive Confirmation and participate in the Eucharist.(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 866)¹¹² –CCC

…….1299   In the Roman Rite the bishop extends his hands over the whole group of the confirmands. Since the time of the apostles this gesture has signified the gift of the Spirit. The bishop invokes the outpouring of the Spirit in these words:

All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
by water and the Holy Spirit 
you freed your sons and daughters from sin 
and gave them new life. 
Send your Holy Spirit upon them 
to be their helper and guide. 
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, 
the spirit of right judgment and courage, 
the spirit of knowledge and reverence. 
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. 
We ask this through Christ our Lord.(Ordo Confirmationis 25)¹¹³ –CCC

…….1300   The essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the Latin rite, "the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: 'Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti' [Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.]."(Paul VI, apostolic constitution, Divinae consortium naturae, 663)¹¹⁴    In the Eastern Churches of Byzantine rite, after a prayer of epiclesis, the more significant parts of the body are anointed with myron: forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chest, back, hands, and feet. Each anointing is accompanied by the formula SfragiV dwreaV PneumatoV ¢Agiou (Signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti): "the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit." Rituale per le Chiese orientali di rito bizantino in lingua greca, Pars Prima (Liberia Editrice Vaticana, 1954) 36.)¹¹⁵  CCC

…….1301 The sign of peace that concludes the rite of the sacrament signifies and demonstrates ecclesial communion with the bishop and with all the faithful.(compare St. Hippolytus, Trad. Ap. 21:Sources Chrẻtiennes 11,80-95)¹¹⁶  --CCC

203 IN CONFIRMATION THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS BESTOWED UPON US - part 1 of 5 parts

YOUCAT Lesson 203, part 1 of 5 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

The Sacrament of Confirmation

203  What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the sacrament that completes Baptism; in it the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us.  Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God’s child and asks for God’s Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with chrism receives the strength to witness to God’s love and might in word and deed.  He is now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church.  [1285-1314]

Photo: …..While the sponsor places his hand on the newly confirmed, the  bishop anoints the young adult with the Oil of Chrism..... 203

When a coach sends a soccer player onto the playing field, he puts his hand on his shoulder and gives him final instructions.  We can understand Confirmation in a similar way.  A hand is placed upon us.  We step out onto the field of life.  Through the Holy Spirit we know what we have to do and we have been given the power to do it.  He has motivated us.  His mission resounds in our ears.  We sense his help.  We will not betray his trust or disappoint him; we will win the game for him.  We just have to want to do it and listen to him.  119, 120

Confirmation (from Latin confirmatia=strengthening, consolidation), like Baptism and the Eucharist, is one of the three sacraments of initiation of the Catholic Church.  As the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples who were gathered on Pentecost, so the Holy Spirit comes to every baptized person for whom the Church requests the gift of the Holy Spirit.  It secures and strengthens him to be a living witness to Christ.

…….THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

…….1285 Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.(compare Roman Ritual, Rite of Confirmation (Ordo Confirmationis), Introduction 1)⁸⁹    For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed."(Lumen Gentium 11; compare Ordo Confirmationis, Introduction 2)⁹⁰ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

I.CONFIRMATION IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION

…….1286   In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the hoped-for Messiah for his saving mission.(compare Isaiah 11:2; Isa 61:1; Luke 4:16-22)⁹¹    The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism by John was the sign that this was he who was to come, the Messiah, the Son of God.( compare Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:33)⁹²    He was conceived of the Holy Spirit; his whole life and his whole mission are carried out in total communion with the Holy Spirit whom the Father gives him "without measure."(John 3:34)⁹³ --CCC

…….1287   This fullness of the Spirit was not to remain uniquely the Messiah's, but was to be communicated to the whole messianic people.(compare Ezekiel 36:25-27; Joel 3:1-2)⁹⁴    On several occasions Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit,(compare Luke 12:12; John 3:5-8; Jn 7:37-39; Jn16:7-15; Acts of the Apostles 1:8)⁹⁵   a promise which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more strikingly at Pentecost.(compare John 20:22; Acts of the Apostles 2:1-14)⁹⁶    Filled with the Holy Spirit the apostles began to proclaim "the mighty works of God," and Peter declared this outpouring of the Spirit to be the sign of the messianic age.(Acts of the Apostles 2:11; compare Acts 2:17-18)⁹⁷    Those who believed in the apostolic preaching and were baptized received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their turn.(compare Acts of the Apostles 2:3)⁹⁸ –CCC

…….1288   "From that time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. For this reason in the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church."(Paul VI, Divinae consortium naturae, 659; compare Acts of the Apostles 8:15-17;  Acts 19:5-6; Hebrews 6:2)⁹⁹ –CCC

…….1289   Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the name "Christian," which means "anointed" and derives from that of Christ himself whom God "anointed with the Holy Spirit."(Acts 10:38)¹⁰⁰    This rite of anointing has continued ever since, in both East and West. For this reason the Eastern Churches call this sacrament Chrismation, anointing with chrism, or myron which means "chrism." In the West, the term Confirmation suggests that this sacrament both confirms and strengthens baptismal grace. –CCC

…….Two traditions: East and West

…….1290   In the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming with it a "double sacrament," according to the expression of St. Cyprian. Among other reasons, the multiplication of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations. In the West the desire to reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused the temporal separation of the two sacraments. The East has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the priest who baptizes. But he can do so only with the "myron" consecrated by a bishop.(Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarm Orientalium, Can. 695 § 1; CEOC 696 § 1)¹⁰¹ –CCC

…..1291   A custom of the Roman Church facilitated the development of the Western practice: a double anointing with sacred chrism after Baptism. The first anointing of the neophyte on coming out of the baptismal bath was performed by the priest; it was completed by a second anointing on the forehead of the newly baptized by the bishop.(compare St. Hippolytus, Trad. Ap. 21:Sources Chrẻtiennes 11,80-95)¹⁰²    The first anointing with sacred chrism, by the priest, has remained attached to the baptismal rite; it signifies the participation of the one baptized in the prophetic, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ. If Baptism is conferred on an adult, there is only one post-baptismal anointing, that of Confirmation. –CCC

…….1292   The practice of the Eastern Churches gives greater emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation. That of the Latin Church more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and servant of the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ's Church. –CCC