I have often heard questions about the origin of the Sacraments and whether they are biblical in nature. In today’s first reading, we see two of the Church’s Sacraments being mentioned by Paul – Baptism and Confirmation. What we have as Baptism today comes from John the Baptist, and the Baptist himself said that there will be one greater than he is who will baptise with fire and the Holy Spirit, and that describes what we have as Confirmation today.

We know that Baptism cleanses us of our Original Sin but Confirmation is the one that we don’t really understand. Paul calls it being baptised in the name of Jesus, that the Holy Spirit will descend upon us. The question still remains – what does it actually do to us or for us?

It is not just about speaking in tongues and prophesying but also, we are given the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth, to stand up for God and our faith. That is Confirmation. Just like Paul, who boldly preached about the kingdom of God, the Spirit gives us the courage to bear witness to the Risen Christ. Filled with the Spirit, we are not afraid because Jesus assures us in the Gospel today that He has conquered the world and that He is not alone, for He is with the Father. Therefore, baptised with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we boldly bear witness to the Triune God.