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As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.
And now, children, remain in him….
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.
And now, children, remain in him….
The Catholic
ministry of sacraments offers several kinds of anointing. Everyone is anointed
in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Deacons, priests and bishops are
ordained by the anointing with Sacred Chrism. And we receive a different anointing with the Sacrament of the Sick.
Anointing is the gesture by which the Holy Spirit is given to God's elect. It usually comes by oil but it may come by wind, water, fire or blood. Jesus was anointed as he was baptized in the Jordan
River. Without that anointing by the Holy Spirit he is not the Christ, for the word Christ means "anointed."
In today’s first reading Saint John speaks of the Holy Spirit, “that you received from him.”
Anointing means “sent by the Holy Spirit.” We are
commissioned by God for a purpose. There is irony in this, for we are sent and yet
we remain. We never leave the Presence
of the Lord.In today’s first reading Saint John speaks of the Holy Spirit, “that you received from him.”
Saint John the Evangelist – to risk a pun – dwells on our abiding in the Holy Spirit. He never forgets that Jesus, the Son of God, dwells in the presence of the Father and the Spirit; those who are anointed in Jesus also live in that Sacred Trinitarian Presence.
When Christians
arrive the Spirit of God comes with us, whether it be a place of prayer, work,
education, recreation or entertainment. We may not realize it but
we were sent there to bring Good News by our very presence. We need say nothing more than Good Morning to
convey that Shekinah
to others. They will breathe her breath and be blessed.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.