When I was confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church, after the bishop laid hands on my head and prayed, he gently slapped my cheek. That has traditionally been a practice at Confirmation, although I think only a handful of Episcopal bishops still continue the practice. The reason for the slap was to remind the confirmand of the seriousness of Christian commitment. Prior to the official toleration of Christianity with the issue of the Edict of Milan in 313 AD under the reign of Emperor Constantine, being a Christian was risky, serious business. Afterwards, Christianity became more and more the religion of the empire and of the state, and accordingly, less risky. Being Christian was easier to take for granted. Hence, the slap at Confirmation was needed in a comfortable age. The slap offered a gentle, if slightly stinging, summons: Don’t forget what it means to be baptized into Christ’s body. Don’t forget the cost of Christian discipleship.
Some have likened our current age to pre-Constantinian Christianity in that it can no longer be assumed that people will take their Christian faith seriously. It can no longer be assumed that the Church is perceived as important in society. And yet, unless you are living in a part of the world where being a Christian is indeed dangerous, being a Christian in our current age doesn’t seem to have the severe sting of pre-313 AD. Maybe a little slap here and there is a good thing for us!
I am reflecting on the Confirmation slap as our Pilgrims in Christ class has wound to a close for this past program year. In early September, Pilgrims will resume, but I’m already thinking ahead to next program year. I’m pondering how Pilgrims is something of a Confirmation slap. If you will recall, Pilgrims in Christ is a nine-month intensive adult formation class intended for anyone seeking to deepen their Christian faith, and it’s especially appropriate for those preparing for holy Baptism, Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church, or Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows. Pilgrims is a “slap” because the entire curriculum is built around an assumption that Baptism, Confirmation, and renewing one’s own commitment to Christian discipleship is a serious matter. By serious, I don’t mean lacking in humor or devoid of fun. And by a “slap” I don’t mean something painful! By serious, I mean that it demands commitment, discipline, and ultimately, metanoia—a change of behavior and a turn towards Christ.
The Episcopal Church has no specific expectations around length of commitment for preparation for Baptism or Confirmation, but it expects that such preparation will be done and taken seriously. The Episcopal Church also hopes that all baptized persons will eventually make a public affirmation of their faith (i.e., be confirmed). This is particularly true for those baptized before the age of reason. In my opinion, recent decades of the Church have seen a lowering of commitment in terms of Christian discipleship, which is why Pilgrims is something special. At Good Shepherd, I sense that we take seriously the discipline and commitment of living as a Christian in what has been called a “secular age.” I suspect that when we do, we begin to understand something of St. John’s message that finding our life in Christ is to live abundantly (John 10:10). Following Jesus gives us a fullness of life that cannot be found exclusively in our work, in our hobbies, or in anything else to which we give our time. And yet, through Christ, our work, our hobbies, and our other relationships can blossom into abundant life.
Although September seems like a long time away, we are already beginning to plan for next program year. Are you feeling a call to deepen your own faith through Baptism, Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church, or Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows? Or are you eager to integrate knowledge with bodily practice in your life of faith, while connecting with a wider community of fellow disciples? I invite you to consider participating in Pilgrims. Pilgrims is not just for those who have not yet been baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church. It’s for those who were confirmed forty years ago, too!
Next program year, I will be expanding the class to make it more adaptable. The first six weeks will be an introduction to the Episcopal Church and Anglicanism, focusing on the Anglican ethos. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Anglican tradition and prepare for Reception into the Episcopal Church would be welcome to participate for only the first six weeks. But I hope all or most will choose to continue for the rest of the program year. Also, Pilgrims will now take on a hybrid in-person/Zoom format, opening the class to anyone across the world! Pilgrims will meet on the first three Thursdays of every month (vestry meetings being on the last Thursday of the month), from 7 to 8:30 p.m., from early September through May.
I ask you to pray about whether you might like to make participation in Pilgrims part of your Christian commitment beginning in September. I believe it’s well worth the time and effort. Please take some time to indicate your interest by registering here. I would also love to have conversations with any of you who have questions about the class or about deepening your journey in Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle