January 21, 2020
(St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr)
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” . . . After examining seven of Jesse’s sons, Samuel finally came across the last, and the LORD responded, “There–anoint him, for this is he!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. 1_Sm_16:1-13
And there is our Scriptural model for the Sacramental anointing we receive in Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. It is a royal, priestly and holy anointing that permanently imbues us with the Holy Spirit. And we call that anointing oil – Chrism!
The Chrism anointing is meant to bring about a transformation within us, brothers and sisters. It brings out the heart of God in us, that gave Him reason for our anointing, just as it did Jesse’s son David. We are never to forget that heart within us. It’s a holy heart of love. And if we ever do forget, all we need do is simply quiet down for a bit, beloved, and listen. It will remind us, all by itself, with its thump, thump, thump of LIFE! That’s God’s life and love within us. That’s the Holy Spirit reminding us of our holiness! Reminding us of that blessed and Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced for our sins, yet still thumping for love of us!
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Whispers to the Wind 