THE EXISTENTIAL REALITY: Annointed to Announce: Feast of St. Francis Xavier

1. Anointed for a purpose

During the ordination of the priest, the bishop anoints his hands with the oil of redemption that he becomes holy, set apart for the mission of Christ. He is given the Holy Bible to read, reflect, understand and break the word of God and give it to the people. He is given bread and wine with the mandate to receive the gifts of the people and offer them to the people on their behalf. Is breaking the word of God, preaching, consecrating, interceding on behalf of people, and becoming a mediator, the work of a priest only? What about the people? Is only a priest chosen among the people to do the work of God?

Looking at certain religious functions, retreat centres and the way of dealings of people of God, seems to be so. St. Paul makes the missionary mandate very clear, “it is an obligation that has been imposed upon me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor 9:16). In fact, these are the exact words St. Francis Xavier wrote to St. Ignatius of Loyola in his first letter after seeing the condition of people in Goa. This obligation binds to all the baptised. It is in our baptism that we have received this mandate, “to be the king, the prophet and the priest.” In Baptism we are all anointed for this sake, to be the ambassadors of Christ. St. Paul again stresses this, “And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Cor 5:20).

2. Our mandate is the mandate of Christ

In his mission mandate, Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Lk 4: 18-19). And for the same mission Christ sends us, “As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you” (Jn 20: 21). Therefore, the mandate is not only for priests and religious but to the people of God. The basic anointment is to continue the mission of Christ in the world.

3. How do we practice this mandate?

Who actually makes the proclamation? The pulpit gives only the instructions, but the actual proclamation comes from you. After giving two greatest commandments, Jesus tells us, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn 13:35). The way you live, the way you behave, the way you interact with others, the way you speak, the way you guide or instruct people understand that this family is different. This ‘different’ is actually more powerful than preaching hours in the pulpit.

In the tribal belt, it is not priests who catechize the people, but the people of god. The ordinary people whom we call catechists. Walking miles and hours, spending their most valuable time, the time they should be giving to their families is being spent in teaching the prayers, creed, our father, hail Mary etc. It is to them, the Isaiah said centuries ago, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation (Is 52:7).

4. Anointed to Proclaim in my Family

In the synod of bishops held in Rome under Pope Benedict, on the topic “New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith” once again stressed the need for the evangelization of the evangelized. Why it is a need today? Pope John Paul had already spoken about it in the following words, “where entire groups of the baptized have lost a living sense of the faith, or even no longer consider themselves members of the Church, and live a life far removed from Christ and his Gospel. In this case, what is needed is a ‘new evangelisation’ or a ‘re-evangelization.’”

Our altars have become unseen things in the houses. They have taken the place of showcases. Daily rosary and prayers have taken the place of serials, movies, WhatsApp and social media. Parents see their child growing laterally and not longitudinally. Social life and cultural practices have taken the place of DJ culture. Cultural values have diminished. It is here, we need the preaching. Spend time with your family. At least once in a while go out as a family to a park, hotel or the river side or for a picnic, if you are busy in your schedule. Listen to your children. Speak to your children. Play with them.

The road to my neighbour’s house begins from my house and passes through my courtyard.