in Fr. Al's homily last night, being Pentecost Sunday, he was talking about the Holy Spirit and how we are entrusted with many gifts on the night of our confirmation - he related the story about a visiting bishop during a retreat he attended as a seminarian who was asked the question "what is your favorite thing to do as bishop?" (he said pridefully, they were all hoping he would answer "ordain priests...") and the bishop responded "confirmation." they were a bit chagrinned and nervous about their follow-up question "what's your least favorite thing to do as bishop," thinking he'd now respond "ordain priests..." but he also answered, curiously, "confirmation." they were both relieved and puzzled at his response.he went on to explain that he said "confirmation" because it is so hopeful, it is a magnificent evening of liturgy and prayer, and it is exciting to take part in.
however, when he leaves, he gets saddened when he thinks of all the gifts that have been bestowed on the newly-confirmed that will never be put to use. the talents, the treasures - ever gift imaginable is given when we receive the Holy Spirit again in confirmation (we already received Him in baptism, lest we need reminding...)
he then concluded with a poem by antonio machado:
The Wind, One Brilliant Daywhat have you done with the garden that was entrusted to you?
The wind, one brilliant day, called
to my soul with an odor of jasmine.
"In return for the odor of my jasmine,
I'd like all the odor of your roses."
"I have no roses; all the flowers
in my garden are dead."
"Well then, I'll take the withered petals
and the yellow leaves and the waters of the fountain."
the wind left. And I wept. And I said to myself:
"What have you done with the garden that was entrusted to you?"
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