2016 Chrism Mass Homily

Today, as we celebrate the first Chrism Mass of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, our Lord unrolls the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah and proclaims the Jubilee commission: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, to announce a year of favor from the Lord. In applying this prophetic passage to himself, our Lord announces to a startled congregation that this Scripture is fulfilled in their hearing. Indeed, this fulfillment is why we have gathered this evening, for the saving Mysteries of Christ’s life has passed into the sacraments. Every time the Church gathers for sacramental worship, the work of our salvation is fulfilled and accomplished.

The Lord has anointed me. The rich symbolism of anointing from on High informs our celebration. The Church in her sacramental liturgy has adopted the Old Testament use of oil for the consecration of kings, priests, and prophets precisely because these prefigured Christ, the Anointed One of God. But the sacramental liturgy impels us even deeper into the Mystery, for the great work of the Spirit conforming to Christ is not only symbolized by holy anointing, it is effected by it.

The Oil of Catechumens strengthens those preparing for Holy Baptism with the power to reject the devil and renounce sin. This healing balm is charged with the very exorcistic power of the Risen Lord, who disarms powers and principalities to bring true Christian health and liberation.

Already in the New Testament, we see that the Oil of the Sick contains within itself not only the healing power of Christ, but the prayer of the Church as well. It is for this reason that this blessed oil is a remedy both for the body and soul, strengthening the faithful and pardoning sin so that they ultimate health of heaven be theirs.

In Baptism, the Sacred Chrism bears witness of our incorporation into Christ (Priest, Prophet, and King), so that, by sharing in the very mystery of his Death, we might also share in the victory of his Resurrection. This same Chrism is fired with the seven-fold grace of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation by which we are sealed for God in Christ. And in the anointing of Holy Orders, those who have been chosen by God and called by the Church are further conformed to Christ the Head, anointed with the prophetic and governing Spirit for the glory of God and for building-up the Body of the Church.

For the clergy and faithful of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter for whom the communion of the Church is such a passion, I urge you: Reflect on the goodness of God who in holy anointing builds and strengthens our communion. The anointing with the Oil of Catechumens is a promise to the infant that she will be raised and nurtured in a community of faith, just as for the adult convert on the sometimes lonely road of conversion, this anointing strengthens him for the journey by a promise of heavenly and temporal aid.

There is little in our fallen world more isolating than illness. All of those sick persons who will be anointed are with us today in this prayer of blessing, so that in holy anointing, the whole communion of the Church reaches out to them in the ministering hands of the priest.

In anointing with Sacred Chrism in Baptism and Confirmation, Christ Jesus binds us to himself and to one another with binds that cannot be broken. For in the language of the Book of Revelation proclaimed today, it is he who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his Blood, who has made us into a kingdom of priests for God our Father.

Truly, brothers and sisters, the great work of God in Christ is set before us today. In the sacramental economy, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit and conformed ever more to Christ, and therein is our sanctification, our redemption, and our lasting hope. At each and every celebration of the sacraments, your voice is that of the Church who speaks none other than the words of her Lord: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, to announce a year of favor from the Lord.

And so today, as in every sacramental celebration, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.