As you know, Pope Francis called us on this Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope as he recognized how we had been broken down by the pandemic, by conflict, and by strife. He recognized that much of this suffering (including many diseases we incur) are a result of a detachment we, as a society, have chosen from the Eucharist and from the Sacramental Life Jesus Christ instituted in the Catholic Church.
We have been given a false reality by the world, the flesh, and the devil. We forget that the true source of reality is God alone. It is through the lens of the Sacramental Life that we can truly see this reality. It is through the lens of the Sacramental Life that miracles of hope and healing like we read about in Scripture, actually happen. It is through the lens of the Sacramental Life that we become true Pilgrims of Hope.
So, in addition to the standard trip itinerary, we will be doing a number of extra exercises to help engage more deeply into the Sacramental Life. Our readings today do a fine job of setting the table as there are references to the sacraments.
Paul directly references the time he ordained Timothy into the priesthood through the laying on of hands. If you have ever been to an ordination Mass, you have seen this miracle with your own eyes. It is through the priesthood that Jesus administers His Sacraments.
The Gospel reading is less direct, but the reference to the sacraments is still there. All of us have been anointed several times in our lives.
At our baptism, we were anointed twice. The first was with the oil of catechumens, which is used for the anointment of spiritual protection.
It is the anointing that breaks any spiritual bondage or claim Satan may have over you as a result of original sin.
The other anointing was with the Sacred Chrism, which is used for anointment into the three-fold mission of Christ as priest, prophet, and king. This is the anointing that gives you the charism to offer sacrifice (remember the old saying “offer it up"), particularly when it is offered in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is the anointing that gives you the charism to know, understand, and spread the Truth of Jesus Christ through His Catholic Church. This is the anointing that makes you royalty in the kingship of Christ. Of course this is not an earthly kingship, but rather one that is glorified through servant leadership.
At our confirmation, we were again anointed with the Holy Chrism as the graces of confirmation were conferred upon us. This is when we received most of our charisms and other spiritual gifts.
Many of us have also received the Anointing of. the Sick, where we are anointed with the oil of the sick to enable Jesus to take on our suffering in a special way and unite that suffering more completely to the suffering of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
There are other sacramental anointings that can and do occur. We’ll talk more about some those and the seven sacraments more as we , Zioncontinue on through our pilgrimage.
Today, we focus on Baptism. Close your eyes.
Picture yourself on the side of a wilderness
road. You have been robbed and beaten by a thief. You recognized this thief as the father of lies. He left you stripped, stripped of the dignity given to you by God, and he left you half dead, to live a life without grace.
You see a person of the world pass on the other side without giving you a notice. Then you see
another person, this person of the flesh…the flesh of human nature…also passes by without
giving you a notice.
Then comes along someone different. You recognize this person as Jesus. He ministers to you with wine and oil. The wine represents the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist), the oils of course represent the anointings I have mentioned. He clothes you with the Christian dignity that comes with Baptism. Allow yourself to feel the warmth of the sacramental grace coursing through your entire being.
Then He takes you to an inn, but you recognize this inn as the Catholic Church. As He speaks to the innkeeper, whom you recognize as Peter, the very first Pope. Jesus says to him, "Tend to and feed my beloved child the sacraments untilI come again at my second coming."
By renewing our Baptismal vows and truly the Sacramental Life Jesus gave us, we will truly understand how great the works of the Lord are.
Thanks be to God!
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