Confirmation

“Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers.” James 1:22

This afternoon at Grace, fourteen ninth graders will celebrate Affirmation of Baptism. Like everything else in 2020, we’ve had to reimagine what this will look like. The meaning, however, will be the same. Fourteen or so years ago, each of these young people was brought by their parents to the waters of grace. Each of them had water poured over their foreheads three times, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Each of them was sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Each of them was called to let their light so shine before others, that others may see their good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

Today, those little bundles of hope are young women and men, standing on the precipice of adulthood. They are coming of age during difficult days. They are also the leaders and examples that the rest of us need. As we prayed for them at their Baptism, may we pray for them today:

Father in heaven, for Jesus’ sake, stir up in this child of God the gift of your Holy Spirit; confirm their faith, guide their life, empower them in their serving, give them patience in suffering, and bring them to everlasting life. Amen.

These young people are a gift to the church and, indeed, to the whole world. May they always be doers of the Word they have heard.

Loving God, we thank you for the young women and men who will be confirmed today at Grace. May their lights shine brightly for all to see, especially during these days. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: Grace.