When I took my first steps into my confirmation journey in 2005 to accept Jesus as my Saviour and Lord of my heart, I realised I was not merely indulging in mere weekend classes, but rather embarking on a “spiritual walk” in my relationship with Jesus and how it would shape me to be the man I am today. “Walk” would seem an unusual word to describe this journey but it seems to be the most perfect, as during this “walk”, I learnt about myself by understanding the “walk” that Jesus has taken which ultimately became the source of my spiritual enlightenment over the space of 12 years.

However, I was a mere child, and I had my doubts. While I have been brought up in dogmatic teaching of the Church, I had doubts about my own beliefs. “How powerful is My Lord? Does redemption truly lay in His accepting arms? Can He truly make me the man I aspire to be soon? Will He know me as much as I want to know Him?” While I may not speak for many, I felt that I needed these questions to be answered. And amazingly, every weekend, in each class, with the guidance of the Catechism teacher, I was able to seek these answers in His life, His teachings, His tribulations and His sacrifice to cleanse our sins as part of his salvation for us to be united with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. As a young child, taking his maiden steps to teenage hood, I felt that He was there with me, in this “walk”, as his promises rings clear in my heart:

“If you seek Me with all your heart, You will find me” 
Deu 4:29

“For I am your provider and I meet all your needs”
Matthews 6:31-33

As a child, I started to feel his warm embrace, as He and I took this “walk” together in understanding Him and His purpose in my life. For the first time, I felt fulfilled and I was thirsty for more of His teachings and His guidance.

My life has been one of living in the light of His blessing. His call upon me to be His servant in His ways and words kept me going. He was and will always be there in every circumstance. I took my strength to continue reading the Bible. He promised, that as His child, He would never forsake me. I took heart in that revealed truth in God’s word. I have applied the principles of the Bible to every situation I have found myself in and they have always directed me in doing what was right and honouring Him. God’s word has never failed me.

As I reached the next and probably the most crucial stage of my life, teen hood, my “walk” with Him has taken a different meaning. I was no longer a child, and I was expected to take on more responsibilities and given more ownership in my decisions in life. Two sacraments I have received in this stage: The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. It is to date the most important events in my journey as it brought me closer to Him. I felt a sense of belonging to laity of the church and soon after, I joined the altar servers. Initially I thought it was a glamorous role to take as it would put me in the spotlight among the Catholic Community. It was petty, it was in vain, and it wasn’t too long before I was awakened from this foolish notion by one of my Catechism teacher, when he pointed out that serving the Lord is not a performance but it is a service for the Lord. I felt humbled and I felt that He evidently opened my eyes, just when I was about to fall into my folly, and I could imagine many teenagers would have fallen to this temptation.

I felt that this lesson was a “stop” in my “walk” in spirituality, and it was His way to help me be a better person. During my most testing periods in my teenage years, He was always omnipresent, and again, I remember His promises to me in my “walk” with him:

“I know when you sit down and when you rise up”
Psalm 139:2

“I am familiar with all your ways”
Psalm 139:3

24th June 2017. It was the day that would culminate my “walk” with Him in my journey. It was my confirmation and one of the most awaited days in my 17 years as a catholic. All the experience that I have gained for the past years will be put to test now as I am about to face many challenges and temptations in life. Now, not only me but also my 29 friends are called to lead the Catholic communities towards the light. God has brought each one of us to earth for different purposes and it is our mission to fulfil it. I am certainly overjoyed for the fruits and gifts that God has nourished in my life and I am really eager to start this mission as a Catholic adult. While this journey as a Catechism student has come to an end, but my “walk” with Him will always continue until I am reunited with Him in His kingdom in heaven.

For He has commanded me:

“You will receive the power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will witness in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”
Acts 1:8

After the confirmation, the biggest change I could feel for myself is getting thirsty. Thirsty for the word of God. I also feel that I am able to recover quicker from a hopeless looking situation and be happy. I feel the presence of God strongly. He is always with me. It made me fearless towards the danger of the outside world knowing that all would be fine with Him alongside me. I feel empowered in faith and everything can be conquered with God ‘s grace.

I feel great and I truly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in me. I can sense which is wrong and right, and to receive this power of the Holy Spirit.

And for this, my life is blessed with full of courage to face the challenges that will be laid before me. For I know, He is always beside me, in my “walk”.

Always.

By Kieran Dass