Unlocking Grace: Baptism & Confirmation's Call to Mission

On this special inaugural segment of “Life is Worth Living,” host John Jacobson welcomes Father Kenneth Clem, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, to discuss foundational Christian sacraments. The episode begins with an exploration of baptism, highlighting its universality among various Christian denominations and its significance in the Catholic Church as the “chief,” “prime,” and “first” sacrament. Father Clem explains that baptism is the beginning of the life of grace, offering forgiveness of sins and making one a child of God, a “new creation” and “temple of the Holy Spirit”. The discussion also covers infant baptism, emphasizing it as a reception of God’s unearned grace, and notes that adults entering the Catholic Church are typically baptized at the Easter Vigil.

The conversation then delves into confirmation, described as the second sacrament discussed, which “supercharges” the graces received in baptism. Confirmation is presented as a stirring up of the Holy Spirit, providing particular and unique graces for an individual’s specific call and mission in life, with gifts like wisdom, understanding, and fortitude. While preparation for confirmation often begins in adolescence in the Kansas City Archdiocese, adults can also receive it, and it’s seen as a profound commitment and an “appointment with grace” that allows individuals to “open up that gift” of their unique calling. The tradition of taking a confirmation name is also discussed as a way to unite with saints and affirm one’s missionary discipleship.