Anniversary of Confirmation: Ascension, 1966

[UPDATED with details, 6-2-11]

The epistle from 1 Peter for this past 5th Sunday of Easter (Year A, RCL), reminds me of my Confirmation.

The bishop who administered the sacrament of Confirmation to me was the Suffragan Bishop of Oregon at that time, Hal Gross (may he Rest in Peace).  It was May of 1966, an evening service of Confirmation at St. Matthew’s, Eugene, when it was still in existence prior to its demolishing to allow an encircling freeway around Eugene (“The Beltline”).  The vicar was my father, The Rev. Don Eaton.   We spent some time in a 5th and 6th grader Confirmation class.  I seem to remember 9 to 12 kids in that class.

This year I am for the first time in a long time also teaching a 5th and 6th grader class for 4 boys.  We will be studying and praying and talking together for about 18 months.   One of the boys will be baptized on June 19th  this year.

Bishop Gross shared with us that night that his “Confirmation verse” for us from the bible, which he was using at all his Confirmations that year (a single sermon which was something of SOP in many parts of the Church), was “I obtained mercy.”  Having no idea what inspired him to use 1 Peter 2:10, I can see that his choice of verse indicates his preference for the KJV, rather than RSV:

2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

He preached his Confirmation sermon from there.  He also guaranteed that night that if any of us were to come up to him later, whether days or years later, and share that verse with him, he would remember the year he Confirmed us, and perhaps even the church where it took place.   I suppose if you preach one sermon so many times in one year, God bless him, you wouldn’t forget which year it was.

We were taught in the class, and by the bishop that night, to expect something to take place in the sacrament, not only through that sacrament, but also through the preceding sacrament of Baptism. After all, either “I have obtained..”, or “..now have obtained..” imply something already received. So I did obtain God’s mercy, and now will obtain God’s power for ministry.

I give thanks for the teaching, for the bishop, and for the Holy Spirit being willing to be given.   I did receive, as I also had obtained mercy for salvation through Jesus Christ.

I took the bishop seriously.  Later, I found out more as the Holy Spirit’s release came overflowing.   I also found out the truth as the Rev. Terry Fullam expressed it:

“When I was baptized, the Church prayed that I receive the Holy Spirit.  When I was confirmed, the Church prayed again that I’d receive the Spirit.  Likewise, when I was ordained a deacon and later a priest, the Church again prayed that I’d receive the Holy Spirit.

Well, now I have received the Holy Spirit.  And the Church doesn’t know what to do with me!”

Uh-huh.  Alleluia.  More of You.  May I be a vessel for the teaching, the catalyst to the sacraments, and for the realized expectation for all that the Lord has intended in the laying on of hands for the “baptism in the Spirit”, for the empowerment of the spreading of the Good News of Jesus Christ, accompanied in signs, wonders, and miracles.

Come, Holy Spirit.  Fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Rob Eaton+

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