Vhen Jesus Encinares Fernandez

Sacraments of Christian Initiation

A WITNESS FOR ALL
Theological Reflections on
DIVINAE CONSORTIUM NATURAE
On the Sacrament of Confirmation by Pope Paul VI
There is no question about the interconnectedness of the three sacraments of the Christian
initiationthe being born anew, the strengthening, and the nourishing elements. A cord of three
strands is not quickly torn apart. (Ecclesiastes 4:12) These three are mutually complementing
each other and perfecting each other. Such a connection, in fact and I must say, must be
preserved and passed on from our generation to another so that it may not be taken for granted,
let alone be forgotten. Not to mention, there is no question too in the development and the
finalization of the rite per se, the laying of hands over the candidates, the anointing of the chrism
made of olive oil and balsam, the words which must be spoken and said, etc.
However, what greatly struck me most is the challenge to become a witness of Christ, as
impelled by the [Holy] Spirit, and as bound more intimately to the Church, and as more
strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and by deed. Standing as a legitimate
witness in a legal court before numerous observers, at all times, bears the burden to consistently
speak the whole truth, otherwise an innocent yet mistakenly-convicted helpless and hapless
person may be accused of the crime he has no relation to whatsoever leaving the guilty suspect
freed from the consequences of his criminality. This attesting-to-the-truth challenge is rather
very demanding and difficult indeed; more so is becoming a witness of and for Christ. Such a
challenging response to being and becoming a Christian must be the first thing, as a part of the
Church as well, and must always be emphasized.
Yet, how can we pass on to the Christian people the complexity of this sacrament so that they
should be able to understand [it] easily and as a community [to] fully and actively participate in
these celebrations? In this instantaneity-oriented mindsetpeople who always want instant
solutions to countless perennial problemsat the least approach and application of Pope Paul
VIs Divinae Consortium Naturae, how can the Church give her candidates lectures or seminars
about the Sacrament of Confirmation in just an hour or two?
We [rely] on the Spirits presence and assistance. The act I am proposing here is not passive
but an active one. Relying on the Spirits presence and assistance means daily living out the
ideals of Christian livingas in embracing the Paschal Mystery of Christ even in its
infinitesimal detailsand trusting the Self-Giver to help us in doing so.
By our very actions, most especially in relation to others however simple these are, we can either
radiate or blacken the light of Christ from others. In as much as the Light Himself sends out its
rays and attracts everyone to come closer to Him, we too, as sharers and bearers of this light, can
and must stand as witnesses of Christ in our simple yet concrete charismatic ways. And this, once
again, I see no question or problem whatsoever. In other words, the little things we do contribute
to the attraction and inspire those who are around us.

But the question I have now is this: impelled by the Spirit, how can I make myself become a true
witness in relation to others who, by themselves, are close-minded, self-centered and arrogant?
How can I radiate Gods light to a person who is constructing a rather extraordinarily high walls
that enclose and surround him to keep his sense of security intact and safe from the dangers of
reality, be it good or otherwise? How can I become a true witness, impelled by the Spirit to
spread and defend the faith, to a person whose focus is no more than himself?
Christ-like attitude requires us to bear fearlessly the challenges of being a witness. This includes
being misunderstood, rejected, and betrayed. Becoming a witness to Christs Paschal Mystery
necessarily implies the development of the virtue of humility. Humbling oneself is vital in ones
pursuit of giving justice to the name given to us as Christs witness.
Truly, such an expected response from us, who, at least, are taught with the consequences and
effects of this sacrament, requires us to make a humble posture in as much as we must trust God
and his saving plan to be actualized in us. The hiding apostles, in fact, before the Pentecost event,
were anxious, afraid and bothered themselves despite the single and fortunate instance of firsthand experience they had with the now risen Christ. But when the breath of the Holy Spirit, as
promised to them by Jesus, descended upon and hovered over them, all their worries and angsts
vanished and they fearless began to preach the good news to the world, and defend their faith by
word and by deed, even by their livesleaving their hearers and spectators in awe and wonder.
Now, the greatest challenge we all have to bear is living out the life of Christ and trusting in His
grace that we may become worthy witnesses of and for him, for all.