Monday of Holy Week

Readings of the Day

“The house was full of the fragrance of oil,” as Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus, acknowledging her belief that he is the Christ, the anointed one, from God.  Sacred oil is one sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The fragrance announced that something special was going on.  Her anointing also foreshadowed what was to come when Jesus would be anointed at his burial.

At our baptism, each of us was anointed with Sacred Chrism, in essence burying our lives with Christ so we could experience the new life that comes with his Resurrection.  At this week’s Chrism Mass, solemn words will call down the power of Christ to infuse this year’s Sacred Chrism.  This weekend, at the Easter Vigil, catechumens will be anointed and encouraged to carry on the age-old tradition of living their lives “in Christ;” his power is to be their fuel.  It’s not only a call for those entering the Church – it’s a reminder for all of us as well.

What does it mean to be anointed and live “in Christ?”  It means we share in the mission of Jesus, be it reaching out to the poor, giving a voice to the voiceless, or promoting justice to the nations. As the outreach arm of the local Church, Catholic Charities leads this effort; each of us must discern where our gifts and talents can best be utilized to bring the light of Christ to the streets.  St. Teresa of Avila reminds us: “Christ has no hands, no feet on earth but yours; yours are the hands through which he blesses the world.”  We seek to bless our clients each day. But that’s just the beginning; charitable works offer so much more. 

Let’s realize that those we serve aren’t the only ones being blessed.  Charity is the channel where we encounter God in the less fortunate.    As Matthew 25 states, it will be our charity towards the “least ones” that will open the gates of heaven.  When done right, we will see Christ in those we serve, and they will see Christ in us.  May we always live up to the promise of the chrism with which we’ve been anointed.  May the “fragrance” of our ministry be palpable, showing the world there’s something special going on here.

St. Vincent DePaul tells us, “Charity is the cement that binds communities to God, and persons to each other.”  Humble charity breaks down the barrier between WE and THEY – in the end, there’s only US.  May blessings abound for all of us.

Deacon Scott Haner is a permanent deacon from the Archdiocese of Louisville who serves on the Board of Catholic Charities of Louisville.

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