Faith in Christ is not lived on your own.

Recently, Bishop Solis came to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for our parish. Almost fifty of our of young men and women were sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit, including one young man I am happy and blessed to call my godson. Over the last few weeks as we were preparing for this day, I was thinking about my role as a sponsor/godfather. It hit me how often in the celebration of the sacraments one does not go alone. One does not present himself without the support of another. It underlines the nature of the Christian Church. Faith in Christ is not lived on your own.

In Baptism, a child is presented to the Church by his or her parents and godparents. This is the most obvious example since the child cannot present himself on his own. He literally must be carried in by his parents. The parents make a promise to raise the child in the faith and the godparents promise to assist them. Then they profess the Catholic faith in the name of the child to be baptized. The whole thing happens quickly. While the words are brief the weight is immense. One day, the child will be old enough to profess the faith for himself. In the meantime, it is the solemn and blessed responsibility of the parents and godparents to impart the faith to the child by word and example. The child does not come to faith on his own. He does so in the context of a community of the Church.

In Confirmation, the sponsor does not say anything, but I think the actions speak loudly. As my godson went up to the Bishop to be confirmed I stood behind him with my hand on his shoulder. In part, it was my silent testimony that this young man is ready to receive this Gift of the Holy Spirit. At the same time, it is my solemn promise to him that I will stand by him as his support in living the Christian life. He made the profession of faith on his own and went to receive Confirmation of his own accord, but he did not go alone. Even though he is not a child anymore, he still does not live his faith on his own.

In the Rite of Ordination, there is a short bit at the beginning when the candidate is presented to the Bishop. The man’s name is called, he stands, and calls out “Present.” Then an interesting dialogue ensues:

Director of Vocations: Most Reverend Father, holy mother Church asks you to ordain this man, our brother, to the responsibility of the Priesthood.

Bishop: Do you know him to be worthy?

Director of Vocations: After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those concerned with his formation, I testify that he has been found worthy.

Bishop: Relying on the help of the Lord God and of our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose this our brother, for the Order of the Priesthood.

Note that the candidate for ordination does not speak for himself. As he stands before the Bishop he is presented for ordination by another. While the man has freely put in the time, effort, and sacrifice to respond to this call, he did not call himself to the priesthood. He was called by God and that call is expressed through the Church. This brief moment in the ordination rite has enormous weight. It is the moment of confirmation of the call. As with Baptism and Confirmation, one does not come to this sacrament alone. It is received and then lived out in the Church.

All of these examples have their roots in the actions of Christ himself. As he taught, healed the sick, drove out demons, and raised the dead, he called disciples to follow him. He formed a community. He formed the Church, his body united in Holy Baptism. Jesus commanded the disciples to go out and baptize all nations, thereby continuing the growth of the Church so that all may know and love the living and true God. We are not individual units that, for example, just happen to be in the same room when we come to Mass for worship. We are intimately united. We grow in faith, hope, and charity as a people of God. We support each other through prayer and example. We support each other through encouragement and sometimes challenge or correction. While our faith is deeply personal, it is not private. You do not live your faith in Christ on your own.

Image from: https://en.wahooart.com/@@/8xzq6k-lorenzo-veneziano-christ-rescuing-peter-from-drowning-(2)

Christ Rescuing Peter from Drowning - by Lorenzo Veneziano