the publican of philadelphia
by Mary B. Worthington

Thought on human rights developed through and after the Second Vatican Council in a unique and substantial way. Yet, social concerns are an example of the continuity of our modern religious expression with that of the apostles, and indeed even with the faithful of the Old Testament.

“I performed many acts of charity to my brethren. I would give my bread to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw any one of my people dead and thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury him” (Tobit 1:16-17).

In his most recent encyclical letter, Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI seems to emphasize the Christian responsibility of the sacrament of Confirmation as a means of preparing the young Christian for works of charity by speaking in terms of the Christian vocation, without explicitly mentioning it.

At the reception of this sacrament of initiation, many of us were more concerned with the saint we chose or the gift we would receive from our sponsor who stood by our side than the One who came to dwell in our souls with His seven-fold gifts. These gifts—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and the fear of the Lord—are the manifestation of the “character” or permanent mark on the soul of the Christian.

“Preparation for Confirmation,” the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit - his actions, his gifts, and his biddings - in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1309).

In other words, in order to fully understand and utilize the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we must be both well disposed and educated. Explained in terms of the sacrament of Matrimony, we can see how grace flows to the individual based on their disposition and knowledge of one another. Prior to receiving the sacramental grace for their union, a man and woman spend years getting to know one another and preparing for their life together in practical and spiritual ways. This preparation enables them to experience the grace of the sacrament of marriage more effectively. In fact this procedure is so seamless at times that the couple may even say it’s the preparation that allows them to enjoy their union, not the grace from God! 

Nonetheless, this same principle applies to the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation. “To receive Confirmation,” the Catechism goes on to explain, “one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act” (CCC, 1310).

As the sacrament relates so much to the Christian vocation to be a light to the world, or as the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said, “The laity is where the Gospel meets the World,” let’s consider the gift of piety more closely.

Piety is not pietism, which Fr. John A. Hardon
explains as an attitude which is “more
sentimental than realistic” (Modern Catholic
Dictionary, available through
www.therealpresence.org).

Piety on the other hand is, honor and
reverence given to others out of love for
God. “Only through an encounter with
God,” Pope Benedict explains, “are we able
to see in the other something more than just
another creature, to recognize the divine
image in the other, thus truly coming to
discover him or her and to mature in a love
that ‘becomes concern and care for the other’”
(Caritas in Veritate, 11, referencing Deus
Caritas Est, 18, 6).

This definition of piety is found in an
encyclical that demands attention by all to
the relief of devastating social ills such as
hunger, poverty and unemployment on a
global scale. For most of us, however, our
part is to influence our own circle of family,
friends and community.

He speaks of the need of all men—in the
spirit of solidarity—to work for these goods.
Thus, as the sacrament of Confirmation is
directed toward the Christian vocation,
every baptized man and woman is called to
bring Christ to the world through everyday
life.

Prayerfully fostering and practicing the gifts of
the Holy Spirit help us to engage the world and touch it with the “truth in charity” as the Pope calls us to.

“And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:15-17).

Mary B. Worthington can be reached at WorthingtonMaryBeth@gmail.com


The Forgotten Sacrament & the Pope's New Encyclical