It would be so natural to want to be Confirmed due to the fact that it is a continuation of Baptism, like a transition point from one stage to another. However, to just go with the flow without having personally felt a burning desire for this Holy Sacrament would make this whole journey of faith seem entirely meaningless. Throughout my life, I have found many reasons to praise the Lord for choosing me to be a Catholic from birth. Thankful am I that the Sacrament of Baptism was bestowed upon me, cleansing me of original sin and and marking me as a child of God. Now, it is I who will choose Confirmation to strengthen the grace of my Baptism and to live out my choice as a Catholic, forever faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ.
The many encounters with God in my life, the many instances His Spirit has moved me have made me realize that, yes, I am indeed on the right path and continuing to walk in faith will bring me closer to the Lord. I can never forget how He has always been there for me. He has never failed me. If I look back at my life and at all things around me, I find that it is absolutely impossible to doubt the existence of God. In fact, I often wonder, how can anyone not believe in Him, the Almighty God? He has done wonders in my life and I feel His presence around me all the time. I feel You, Lord, in the wind that blows as I stand looking out of my window at the wonders of your creation; I hear You, Lord, speaking to me through the words in Your Holy Bible as You comfort my broken heart; I see You, Lord, in those I love as they fill my life with happiness and love; I know You are there, Lord, because You have been always at my side at all times and in all circumstances; and therefore, I trust in You, Lord, I feel Your divine love.
Life as a teenager is hardly ever easy, we are often faced with challenges and receive pressure from the world around us. As the Evil One attempts to lure us to worldly pleasures, we, being Catholic teenagers, have the added advantage that is, the protection of the Lord and the guidance of His Spirit. By receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, I know I will find the special strength within my soul to be a witness of the Catholic faith to the world. Being Catholic means daring to be different from the materialistic and status-conscious world. Why should we let profanities escape from our lips when we were created to sing praises to God? It is foolish to think that we are 'cool' if we speak such words because, in fact, we are only disgracing ourselves and God who made us so perfectly. Why should we dress in such a way that we are disrespecting our bodies which are the Temples of God? Is that the way we want others to look at us? It is a shame to have such low self esteem until it becomes a necessity to stoop so low to speak or dress so disgracefully. Based on my opinion, I want to be Confirmed to make a change and dare to be different from the majority and follow the laws regarding morality that God has given. I want to educate the new generation of Catholics that Church traditions are meant to be observed and treated with reverence, and to the members of the older generation who are too open to modernization, I want them to realize that it is not right to change the Church's traditions or bend certain rules or laws to fit into the needs and wants of the youngsters.
Just take a look at the youth coming to Church and to Catechism classes, is that how we want the Church leaders of tomorrow to be? I have seen people playing with their hand phones during mass and wearing inappropriate clothing to Church. This is definitely not the way to dress to see the King of Kings! The fact that these teenagers will be Confirmed and then married and later on be parents is worrying me. I wonder what will become of the generations to come. I feel it is the responsibility of the parents and Catholic educators to guide our young people to be pious Catholics and good examples in all aspects to the future generation. I strongly feel that criteria to gauge a teenagers readiness to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation should be more focused on their attitude towards the faith, participation in Mass and the whole image they are portraying as Catholics, and not just relying on their attendance and their ability to hand in an essay on why they want to be Confirmed.
As a Catholic teenager serious about deepening my faith, I vow that I will stand tall as a Catholic, trying my very best to reflect our Lord Jesus Christ in my words and actions. If I were at times fail to do so, I pray for the strength to turn quickly to God and beg for forgiveness. In the further stages of life, if I am ever married, I pledge that my spouse and I will uphold the Sacred Vows of Holy Matrimony, maintaining a conducive Catholic environment to raise our children to be strong in their Catholic faith. As for now, I will be Confirmed and I will forever treasure my personal relationship with our Lord. For me, He is my Saviour, my Strength and in Him I place all my trust.
" For in everything, O Lord, you have exalted
and glorified Your people
and You have not neglected to help them at all
times and in all places "
Wisdom of Solomon 19:22
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