32nd Sun of OT Year B: Rite of Enrollment Homily

Today we gather together with our confirmation class in our midst. On this day they present themselves before us in this public manner to present themselves to the Church as individuals who plan on taking the next step in their sacramental life of the Church. Today they will sign their names and make their promises known before each of us who are here today. They will also make their promises known to God the Most High on this day. This dedication that is given by each of them requires a lot of time and effort in our world that tells us that we have no time to commit ourselves to religion. Despite this echoing voice that persists from our world we are called to commit ourselves entirely. We cannot only commit ourselves when we have time or agree with the doctrine of the Church, but must apply ourselves fully. We cannot only give a little bit of our time or follow our own desires because in doing so we will be holding something back from God.

The woman who is found in today's Gospel is a perfect example for all of us to follow Christ. She did not decide to give a percentage, be it small or large, but gave everything that she had. With the offering that she gave inside of the temple she had nothing left to give. It would of been so easy for her to be like the many people who brought their offerings to the temple holding something back. Of all these people only this woman was able to give and hold nothing back from God. In the time that it took her to draw close to the temple she had a lot of time to prepare her mind for what she was about to do. I am sure that during this journey she had some doubts, but she still was able to overcome them and endure until the end. Her faith was so great because in giving she knew that she would receive so much more from God if she could only place her trust in Him. This day each of us desires to take up her example especially those who are about to commit themselves to continue their study towards the Sacrament of Confirmation.

And so my dear young people I thank you for the commitment that you make this day. As the book that will be placed upon the Altar of Sacrifice will be signed by each of you; please keep in mind the commitment that you make this day. Realize that in approaching this book you are coming forth like the woman found in today's Gospel. You bring your fears and needs, and do not turn back out of fear. Instead you move forward bringing all that you have to this place by handing it over to God through your commitment to study the faith and with the grace of God to be Confirmed this upcoming year. I know that this world can be hostile to the faith and send many contrary messages to each of our minds. We are often given the false advice to do as we please because in the end we are all that is important. Your commitment today shows that this message is not true and that there truly is something valuable to be found inside of the faith. May each you continue to grow in this understanding as you give of yourselves entirely to the faith.

And so to each of us here today we are given great hope for the future. We have great hope placed in our youth who today commit themselves to continue on their path towards Confirmation. We have great hope in the parents and sponsors who join with them today to not lead them along by mere words, but by the commitment of their own hearts and deeds. We have great hope because we look to our teachers who devote so much of their time to help hand on the faith ,entirely and without biases due to personal feelings, along to this class. We have great hope because all of us are able to witness this take place within the context of this Mass. May each of be inspired this day with great hope to give entirely of ourselves to Christ and to His Church. May we hold nothing back as each of us who are gathered here this day continues our journey of faith. As we continue along this path may we continue to allow our souls to praise The Lord who calls us to hand over everything entirely to Him.