Confirmation is a Pentecost event

The same Holy Spirt that descended upon the Apostles on the first Pentecost descends upon those who are confirmed, and the dramatic changes that took place in the followers of Christ from that moment on can and will take place in those who are confirmed — if they cooperate with the powerful graces that they receive.

The Apostles were changed forever for the better.

The Apostles had been unfaithful. They had abandoned and denied Jesus. With the Holy Spirit, they never wavered and were totally loyal, committed and trustworthy for the rest of their lives.

The Apostles were sinners, broken and ashamed. With the Holy Spirit, they were forgiven, healed, granted peace, reconciled to Jesus and restored to grace.

The Apostles were sad and dejected over their master’s death and their uncertain future. With the Holy Spirit, they were filled with joy and given a sense of purpose as they moved ahead.

The Apostles had been men of little faith. With the Holy Spirit, their faith was roused, animated, strengthened and solidified.

The Apostles had been doubtful, worried and afraid. With the Holy Spirit, they were reassured, confident and courageous.

The Apostles had been shy, timid, reserved and silent. With the Holy Spirit, they were bold, assertive and outspoken. They gave excellent example and bore powerful witness to their faith.

The Apostles had hidden behind barred doors in the safety and privacy of the Upper Room. With the Holy Spirit, they went outdoors and publicly took the message of Jesus to the streets and the rooftops.

The Apostles had been followers. With the Holy Spirit they became leaders.

The Apostles had been ambitious, competed among themselves and were indignant with each other. With the Holy Spirit, they were humble, cooperated with each other and respected each other.

The Apostles had been loosely connected, independent and self-absorbed. With the Holy Spirit, they were united in mind and heart, prayed and ate their meals together, held their possessions in common, were generous with the needy, put their neighbors ahead of themselves and were devoted to service.

The Apostles had cautiously stayed close to home. With the Holy Spirit, they were emboldened and traveled far and wide as missionaries.

The Apostles had been weak and ineffective. With the Holy Spirit, they cured the sick, drove out demons, preached the Gospel, gained new believers and worked mighty deeds in Jesus’ name.

The Apostles clung to their possessions, loved their human lives on earth, avoided pain and suffering and were unwilling to die for anyone or anything. With the Holy Spirit, they were willing to sacrifice everything, hated their lives, picked up their crosses, embraced their hardships, withstood persecution and risked their lives. All but one willingly died as martyrs for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit galvanized the faith of each Apostle on the first Pentecost, and the Holy Spirit galvanizes the faith of each person who is confirmed.

Father Van Sloun is pastor of St. Bartholomew in Wayzata. This column is part of an ongoing series on confirmation.