Location: Church of the Holy Spirit
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. (…) Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Lk 4:18-19,21)
As we gather today for this Chrism Mass, brothers and sisters we are reminded of the profound significance of the anointing with sacred chrism, a visible sign of the invisible gift of the Holy Spirit which we all first received at our baptism. In the words of the Prophet Isaiah, we hear of the anointing that brings good tidings to the afflicted, binds up the brokenhearted, proclaims liberty to the captives, and frees those who are bound.
This anointing symbolizes the mission that Christ inaugurated, a mission of liberation and salvation for all and in which we celebrate the sacraments of the Church.
Today, my dear brothers in the priesthood, as we gather for this sacred Chrism Mass, let us reflect on the profound words of the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me” (Is 61:1). These words resonate deeply with our calling as priests, for our anointing in the priesthood is a participation in Christ’s own anointing, empowering us to carry out the work of evangelization and service to others.
As we renew our priestly vows today, let us remember that we are called to bring good tidings to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to proclaim liberty to the captives (Is 61:1-2). Our ministry is one of service and compassion, mirroring the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus.
Just as Jesus stood up in the synagogue of Nazareth and declared that the words of Isaiah were fulfilled in him (Luke 4:16-21), so too are we called to continue his mission of bringing hope and healing to all those in need.
In the spirit of synodality, let us remember that we are not called to minister in isolation, but as a united body of priests, in communion with our bishops and with all the holy people of God. Just as the oils blessed in this Chrism Mass will bring the balm of divine grace to the Christian people, so too are we called to be instruments of God’s grace in the world, working together in harmony and unity.
Let us heed the words of Pope Francis, who reminds us that in exercising our ministry, we share in the mission of Christ, the one Teacher.
Our homilies should not be mere words.
They must reflect the Word of God that we carry in our hearts, touching the hearts of the faithful and bringing them closer to Christ.
As we go forth from this Chrism Mass, let us recommit ourselves to our priestly calling, standing in the presence of the Lord and ministering in his name. May our zeal for the service of God’s people never slacken, but be continually kindled anew by the living flame of the Gospel and the movement of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives. Let us be faithful companions of the Lord Jesus, offering our lives as a living sacrifice for the sanctification of the Church and the world.
May the Lord, who has anointed us with his Spirit, strengthen us in our ministry and guide us in the path of holiness and service. Amen.
May the Mother of Guadalupe strengthen our resolve as we renew the promises of our priesthood, so that like Jesus, our love and our vows may be believable!
