Chrism reminds us of our responsiblity

Apr 04, 2024

KUCHING: The significance of anointing, as Archbishop Simon Poh explained during the Chrism Mass, March 27 at the Cathedral of St Joseph, lies in its representation of the threefold mission of every baptised person: to be priestly, kingly, and prophetic.

Through the anointing with Chrism, individuals are consecrated for this mission by the Holy Spirit.

The Archbishop emphasized that while only a few are called and ordained as priests for the ministerial priesthood, all baptised Catholics share in the common calling to be part of the Priestly, Kingly, and Prophetic People of God. This anointing signifies our identity as chosen by God and sent forth to fulfil His mission.

The architecture of the cathedral, with its design symbolising the church as the people of God gathered around as one family, reinforces this sense of community and pilgrimage. The cathedral’s roof, resembling a tent, evokes the journey of the people in Exodus and signifies the pilgrim nature of the Church, as we journey together toward the Father’s house.

Through his personal experience of his mother’s illness and passing, Archbishop Simon highlighted the power of prayer and gathering in Jesus’s name to bring hope, blessing, and strengthen faith. He emphasised that every baptised individual, regardless of age or vocation, is called to be a missionary disciple of the Lord and to leave a mark through the anointing received from Chrism.

Ultimately, the Chrism Mass is a celebration of our identity and mission as the people of God, anointed by the Holy Spirit to carry out the work of Christ in the world. It serves as a reminder of the power and responsibility bestowed upon us through our baptismal anointing.