| FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER Thursday Year II At the Night Office the NJB Act 19:2 When he asked, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?' they answered, 'No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.' Act 19:6 and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. First From the Acts of the Apostles (19:1-20) Acts 15:8-9; 11:18 Responsory God who can read the hearts of all gave his Spirit to the Gentiles, just as he did to us. - He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts by faith, alleluia. To the Gentiles as well God granted the repentance that brings life. - He made no ... Second From The Life in Christ by Nicholas Cabasilas (Lib. 3: PG 150, 574-575) The sacrament referred to in this reading by the Eastern name of "chrismation" is known in the West as confirmation Cabasilas stresses the importance of this sacrament through which Christians share in the power of the Holy Spirit and receive the virtues needed for spiritual maturity.
The purpose of chrismation is to enable us to share in the power of the Holy Spirit. This anointing brings the Lord Jesus himself to dwell in us, our only salvation and hope. Through him we are made sharers in the Holy Spirit and are led to the Father. Unfailingly it procures for Christians those gifts that are needed in every age, gifts such as faith, reverence for God, prayer, love, and purity. It does so even though many are unaware of having received such gifts. Many do not know the power of this sacrament or even that there is a Holy Spirit, as it says in the Book of Acts, because they were anointed before reaching the age of reason and afterward they blinded their souls by sin Nevertheless, the Spirit does in truth give the newly initiated his gifts, distributing them to each one as he wills; and our Lord, who promised to be with us always, never ceases to shower blessings on us.
Chrismation cannot be superfluous. We obtain the remission of our sins in baptism and we receive the body of Christ at the altar. These sacraments will remain until the un veiled appearance of their author. It cannot be doubted, then, that Christians also enjoy the benefits that belong to this holy anointing and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit How could some sacraments be fruitful and this one without effect? How can we believe that
The Holy Spirit is given to some, as Saint Paul says, to enable them to do good to others and to edify the Church by prophesying, teaching revealed truth, or healing the sick by a mere word. The Spirit is given to others for their own sanctification, imparting to them a shining faith and reverence for God, or making them outstanding in purity, charity, or humility. Responsory- Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinihians 1:21-22 You have believed the Good News and have been sealed with the Holy Spirit who was promised. He is the pledge of our inheritance, - the assurance of freedom for those God has won for himself, for the praise of his glory, alleluia. God has anointed us and sealed us as his own; and as a pledge of what is to come he has given us the Spirit that dwells in our hearts. - The assurance of ... |
Cabasilas, Nicolas (14th century) was a native of Thessalonica. … The period (1354 c.) of his greatest literary output, his two principal works being The Life in Christ and A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy, both of which were written for lay people. The kernel of Cabasilas' teaching, which was praised by the Council of Trent and by Bossuet, is the Christian's deification by means of the sacraments. Cabasilas died some time after the capture of Thessalonica by the Turks in 1387.
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