Recently the Liturgy for the blessing of the sacred oils known as the Chrism Mass has moved to Tuesday in Holy Week
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Recently the Liturgy for the blessing of the sacred oils known as the Chrism Mass has moved to Tuesday in Holy Week in many places so that the clergy’s schedule in Holy Week is more balanced. During this liturgy, the bishop gathers with his fellow priests from the local church and consecrates the chrism and blesses the other oils. The priests who concelebrate with the bishop come to this liturgy from throughout the local church, thus showing in the consecration of the chrism to be his witnesses and cooperators, just as in their daily ministry they are his helpers and counselors. Moreover, at this liturgy the priests renew their ordination promises.
The Chrism (which is a mixture of oil of olives and balsam, has been introduced into the functions of the church liturgy, owing to its symbolic significance. Olive oil, being rich and abiding, is fitted to represent the outpouring of sacramental grace; it is perfumed with myrrh, while balsam, which gives forth a fragrant odor, typifies the innate sweetness of Christian virtue) is an important sign and symbol for use in baptism whereby Christians are plunged into the paschal mystery of Christ; they die with him, are buried with him, and rise with him; they are sharers in his royal and prophetic priesthood.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: We learn in the lessons from St. Paul that he is keenly aware of the tensions that exist in the world on the deepest of spiritual levels with questions of difficulties and deliverance, rejection and redemption, conflict and comfort.
This is not surprising given that he himself
– Has faced dangers, and was in need of protection
– Is aware that God’s grace is a constant in life, despite the changes and chances of life and in that there is comfort and relief.
– Knows God’s work in our lives countermand human will and desires.
Thus, St. Paul urges us in 2 Corinthians to leave trust in self in order to trust in God as the only source of hope, he writes in verse 9: “Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” I suspect given that all Paul has been through on these missionary journeys of his, he haslearned that he couldn’t do it himself. He couldn’t deliver himself from evil; he needed someone else to help him. And the only one who could truly help him in such as the situations of life was the God who has the power over sin and death. Certainly, Paul learned that our God has the mighty power to deliver in two ways. First, he certainly has the power to deliver us from any trouble of this life. But secondly, he has the mighty power to deliver us from this life itself and take us to heaven. Thus, when we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil,” we aren’t just asking that God would deliver us from our worldly problems, but we are praying that God would deliver us from this evil world and take us to the glories of heaven.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Lord Almighty and Everlasting God, grant us grace so to contemplate the Humility of our Lord, that we may find therein the example for forgiveness and reconciliation for our sins; through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The Word who became human clothed himself with humility…there is nothing to match this act and is the very reason why humility and not pride, for our achievements, material or spiritual, should guide our lives.” – St. Isaac the Syrian
Holy Week Discipline –Where has humility been lacking in your life? Where has Pride won the day? Can you make a list as to what the cost has been? To assist you for Spy Wednesday Reconciliation of a Penitent, consider undertaking an examination of conscience to help you make ready for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Blessed Theodora in the Eastern orthodox tradition offers a very foundational one which is a good review of ones life on a regular basis as well. http://www.orthodox.net/confess/an-examination-of-conscience-according-to-expected-trials-after-death.html