This Sunday we will celebrate Confirmation with ten of Faith’s young people. Confirmation is the time when they will affirm for themselves the promises made on their behalf at baptism.
When I’m talking to families about the rite of baptism or to the youth about Confirmation, there’s one part of the rite that often seems…well…awkward.
It comes at the part of the service often called the “renunciation questions.” These are three questions that parents and sponsors (in the case of baptism) and the youth (in the case of Confirmation) are asked. They are asked:
- Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?
- Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
- Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
The expected response is, “I renounce them.”
Somewhat apologetically, I usually explain to families that the rather antiquated language in these questions comes from the fact that they have been part of the rite for centuries.
Recently, I’ve stopped being apologetic.
I think it’s because I’ve become more aware of evil in the world (yes, I’ve been privileged) and the need for Christians who are followers of Jesus, to publicly and personally renounce it.
As I lead the Confirmands through these questions this weekend, I will once again affirm my own baptismal promises and renounce the evil of racism which defies God, the power of white supremacy which rebels against God and the way of self-centeredness that draws me from God.
I invite you to join us online at the Confirmation service this Sunday at 1:00 PM. Celebrate the youth as they affirm their baptisms and affirm your own baptism as you once again renounce evil and affirm your faith as a follower of The Way – the way of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Jen