Sacramental Point of View, the church is an extension of Jesus through space and time by means of the sacraments. Mystagogy.
- Mystagogy = This word from the Greek mystes, meaning “one who has been initiated” and agogus meaning “leader” refers to liturgical catechesis intended to initiate a catechumen into the mystery of Christ. In a more specific sense, mystagogy is the period of catechesis that immediately follows an adult’s reception of Baptism CCC #1075[1]
III. Importance- Result of all catechesis or mystagogy is understanding the mystery of Jesus Christ. It is not a matter of head knowledge, though important, rather, it is the living of an authentic Christian life. The Sacraments are essential to this walk because of Christ.
We are all in some real sense, Catechumens. God is infinite, we are finite.
The Sacraments of Initiation are not one and done. They are meant to grow with the person. Frequent studies of them is essential.
Calvary is once, Certain elements that are eternal, God chose man to live in time, certain elements indelible of sacraments outside of time. Perfect unity with Calvary, not repeated, enter into one time, ever present. Baptism ever present. Sign of the Cross in Latin, immediate bring back to reality of baptism, somehow person in time can touch eternal soul, joined together with simple gesture sign of the cross. Don’t rebaptism, grace received into soul, given confession for sin. Don’t get baptized. Calvary permanent mark. Priesthood or confirmation, is a comfort, duality within human person.
For an example,
- Some people today still look on Confirmation as the sacrament of maturity. But this sacrament does not imply that the candidate is completely mature in the faith. Nor does the signing with chrism instantaneously produce maturity in the candidate. Conversion to Christ is a gradual process to which Confirmation gives added strength. Through it the confirmed person is strengthened for this lifelong journey.
Sacraments are God’s gift to us, freely given, not earned. God gives us the gift, we chose how to respond.
- Confirmation as integrally related to Baptism and Eucharist. Together these sacraments constitute a process by which the Spirit brings the believer to full union with the community. Confirmation does not complete Baptism in the sense that Baptism left something incomplete. Rather, the two sacraments are united in the initiation process.
The benefit of the individual is the study, the true meaning, more prepared for it. Once bishop made cross with chrism and sealed with the Holy spirit the Sacrament is given.
The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are freely given and up to us if we make use of them or not. Gifts perfectly given.
- Confirmation is also associated with the Eucharist, where the People of God unite to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. When Confirmation preceded First Holy Communion, it was easily seen as a preparation to full celebration with the community. Then in 1910, when Pope Pius X made it possible for seven-year-old children to receive Communion, Confirmation became the last Sacrament of Initiation to be celebrated. Now Confirmation’s role of leading to the Eucharist must be emphasized in ways other than chronological. The church accomplishes this through catechesis, the words of the rite, and celebrating Confirmation within Mass.[2]
Latin Rite better understanding, know intuitively know Confirmation does not confer maturity, not marked as an adult in Church. In Latin Rite have skewed understanding Confirmation, erroneous ideas accepted as truth. Initiation into Community, active mis defined as mature, required other than ascent of the will, or in instance of child, above age of reason. Arrogant with hoops people to receive what ought to give freely.
Children need holiness, more importantly world needs holy children. Rise of vicious children. Ideological tests, shout down or threatened. Church break from false belief element of requirement.
Wisdom of Eastern Church, Chrismation before any physical defects known, graces given freely to dispense, with no questions. God goes forth from Him does not return fallow.
[1] John T. Ford, CSC Glossary of Theological Terms (St. Mary’s Press: Winona, MN 2006) 126
[2] [1] https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/sacraments/confirmation/history-and-development-of-sacrament-of-confirmation/ accessed Mar 2, 2022
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