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Laying On of Hands

Laying On of Hands. Confirmation Class – May 08. Overview. First Thoughts Opening Ritual Laying On of Hands Example in the Bible Receiving the Holy Spirit References in the Old and New Testaments Epiclesis Invoking the Holy Spirit Church Doctrine

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Laying On of Hands

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  1. Laying On of Hands Confirmation Class – May 08

  2. Overview • First Thoughts • Opening Ritual • Laying On of Hands • Example in the Bible • Receiving the Holy Spirit • References in the Old and New Testaments • Epiclesis • Invoking the Holy Spirit • Church Doctrine • Four Key Roles of the Holy Spirit in the Liturgy • Living the Faith • Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

  3. First Thoughts • Beginning right after birth a mother strokes her newborn’s face, and the child begins to learn about love • The ability to express love through touch and gestures is a universal experience • It is this experience that the Church builds upon when its representatives lay hands on a Confirmation candidate and pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit • This gesture expresses and brings to fruition the love and relationship that God desires for all his children

  4. The Church Teaches • The Rite of Confirmation highlights the significant of the action of laying on of hands. In the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation we read: [The laying on of hands] contributes to the complete perfection of the rite and to a more thorough understanding of the sacrament … [It] represents the biblical gesture by which the gift of the Holy Spirit is involved and in a manner well suited to the understanding of the Christian people When the Spirit encounters in us the response of faith which he has aroused in us, he brings about genuine cooperation. Through it, the liturgy becomes the common work of the Holy Spirit and the Church (CCC 1091)

  5. Opening Ritual • Turn to page 104 for the Opening Ritual • Need one volunteer (reader) in the Opening Ritual • Show reverence during the ceremony and during the Laying On of Hands ritual • Once finished with the Opening Ritual have a seat

  6. Opening Ritual Describe your experience of the ritual of laying on of hands

  7. Laying On of HandsOther Examples in the Bible • Jesus healing the leper • Read Luke 5:12-16 • Apostles praying the Holy Spirit to come upon someone • Read Acts of the Apostles 19:1-7

  8. Receiving the Holy SpiritReferences in Old and New Testaments • Old Testament • In the opening ritual we listened to Genesis 48:13-16 in which a blessing was conferred on Ephraim and Manasseh by Jacob with a laying on of hands

  9. What does “scapegoat” mean, as we use that word today?

  10. What is a “scapegoat” as used in the Old Testament?

  11. Faith Vocabulary“Scapegoat” A term that refers to an individual who carries the blame or guilt of others; originally an animal on whom the Jewish High Priest laid hands in a ritual ceremony, transferring the guilt of the Israelite people, and then banishing the animal to the desert so that it would “carry away” the people’s sins See Leviticus 16:20-22

  12. Receiving the Holy SpiritReferences in Old and New Testaments • Old Testament • Laying on of hands was used to convey a transfer of power with a commissioning for a specific office or mission • And the Lord replied to Moses, “Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man of spirit, and lay your hand upon him. Have him stand in the presence of the priest Eleazar and of the whole community, and commission him before their eyes. Invest him with some of your own dignity, that the whole Israelite community may obey him (Numbers 27:18-20)

  13. Receiving the Holy SpiritReferences in Old and New Testaments • New Testament • Invoking the Holy Spirit • After the event of Pentecost, the first disciples went to Samaria to fulfill Christ’s command to make disciples of all people • Apostles Peter and John were called there to lay their hands on those who only had been baptized • “The laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts of the Apostles 8:17)

  14. Receiving the Holy SpiritReferences in Old and New Testaments • New Testament • Commissioning to Office • The Second Letter to Timothy, St Paul writes … • For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my Hands (2 Timothy 1:6)

  15. Receiving the Holy SpiritReferences in Old and New Testaments While the gesture of laying on of hands has a variety of meaning in the Old and New Testaments, in each of these contexts, it is the Holy Spirit that is at work HOLY SPIRIT

  16. Define “epiclesis”

  17. Faith Vocabulary“Epiclesis” The name given to the prayer that invokes the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit

  18. Faith Vocabulary“Epiclesis” In the celebration of each of the sacraments, the Church calls upon God the Father to send down his Holy Spirit to transform us more and more into the Body of Christ We name this prayer of invoking, or calling down, the Holy Spirit’s transforming power the epiclesis

  19. Faith Vocabulary“Epiclesis” • You are most familiar with an epiclesis from the Eucharistic Prayer • Prior to the words of consecration, the priest extends his hands over the bread and wine and prays • Father, we bring you these gifts. We ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit, that they may become the body and blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate this Eucharist (Eucharistic Prayer III) • Through the power of the Holy Spirit and words of the priest, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ

  20. Invoking the Holy Spirit • The ritual and action of laying on of hands is used in many contexts in the liturgy • Over the bread and wine at Eucharist • In the solemn blessing at the end of Mass • Over a newly married couple • During exorcism prayers with catechumens • During the prayer of absolution with a penitent sinner

  21. Invoking the Holy Spirit • At your Confirmation the bishop and the priest celebrating with him will extend their hands over you and the other candidates as they pray that you might be strengthened with the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit • As the bishop extends his hands over you and prays the epiclesis at your Confirmation, a moment of great solemnity has arrived

  22. Invoking the Holy Spirit • The Church prays that through the power of the Holy Spirit your life in Christ will be … • a living sacrifice to God, • that you will be transformed more deepening in the image of Christ, • that you will grow in love for the Church, and • that you will participating the Church’s mission through the witness and service of love

  23. Church DoctrineFull, Conscious, and Active • The Church calls for the full, conscious, and active participation of all the faithful in the liturgy • It is the Holy Spirit who empowers each properly disposed individual to enter fully into the liturgy • The Catholic Church teaches that “When the Spirit encounters in us the response of faith which he has aroused in us, he brings about genuine cooperation” CCC 1091

  24. Small Group Exercise • Form small groups (~3 people), look up and read one of the assigned passages from the Old Testament: Ezekiel 36:22-28, Ezekiel 37:1-14, and Joel 3:1-5 • As you read each passage imagine the prophet is speaking to you • Describe how reading these passage helps you prepare for Confirmation

  25. The Holy Spirit, Helper and Guide • After you renew your baptismal promises in the rite of Confirmation, the bishop will extend his hands over you and ask the entire assembly to pray with him that you will be given the gift of the Holy Spirit and that you be anointed to be more life Christ • All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence

  26. Invoking the Holy Spirit • Saint Paul wrote that it is the love of God “poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit (Romans 5:5)

  27. Four Roles of the Holy Spirit in the Liturgy • To prepare the assembly to encounter Christ; • To recall and manifest Christ to the assembly • To make the saving work of Christ present and active by his transforming power • To bring us into the communion with Christ and so to form his Body CCC 1093-1112

  28. Living the FaithBlessed Damien of Molokai • Blessed Damien of Molokai was born in 1940 in Belgium • He joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, tool the religious name Damien and studied for the priesthood • In 1864 he was sent to Hawaii where he was ordained and served the native peoples of Hawaii as a missionary • After 10 years he asked to be sent to the island of Molokai, where people suffering from leprosy had been sent to live segregated from the rest of the population, just as in Jesus’ time (social outcasts and judged by many as leading sinful lives)

  29. Living the FaithBlessed Damien of Molokai • Damien soon experienced for himself the emotional loneliness and sadness that accompanied the physical illness and suffering of the outcast on Molokai • This led Damien to see their need to be touched, both physically and spiritually, so he reached out to them without fear for his personal safety • Father Damien eventually contact the disease but continued to care for others despite his own suffering • Father Damien died from the effects of leprosy on 15 Apr 1889 • On 4 Jun 195 he was declared Blessed of the Church by Pope John Paul II

  30. Gifts of the Holy Spirit • The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to all who are “anointed” that is, to every Christian who is “born of water and Spirit” (John 3:5) • Isaiah 11:2 • The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord

  31. Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Wisdom • The gift of knowing the right choices to make to live a holy life • The gift of wisdom helps you avoid the things that could lead you away from God Describe a practical example of what “wisdom” would look like in your life

  32. Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Understanding • The gift of comprehension, or the ability to grasp the meaning of the teachings of the Church. • Helps you be tolerant and sympathetic of others • Helps you sense when someone is hurting or in need of compassion Describe a practical example of what “understanding” would look like in your life

  33. Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Right Judgment (Counsel) • The gift of prudence • Helps you make choices to live as a faithful follow of Jesus Describe a practical example of what “right judgment” would look like in your life

  34. Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Courage (Fortitude) • The gift that helps you stand up for your faith in Christ • Helps you overcome any obstacles that would keep you from practicing your faith Describe a practical example of what “courage” would look like in your life

  35. Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Knowledge • The gift of knowing and enlightenment • Enables you to choose the right path that will lead you to God • Encourages you to avoid obstacles that will keep you from Him Describe a practical example of what “knowledge” would look like in your life

  36. Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Reverence (Piety) • The gift of confidence in God • Inspires you to joyfully want to serve God and others Describe a practical example of what “reverence” would look like in your life

  37. Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Wonder and Awe (Fear of the Lord) • The gift of respect that encourages you to be in awe of God • Moves you to so love God that you do not want to offend Him by your words or actions Describe a practical example of what “wonder and awe” would look like in your life

  38. Summary • First Thoughts • Opening Ritual • Laying On of Hands • Example in the Bible • Receiving the Holy Spirit • References in the Old and New Testaments • Epiclesis • Invoking the Holy Spirit • Church Doctrine • Four Key Roles of the Holy Spirit in the Liturgy • Living the Faith • Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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