Christian Freedom

Freedom.    It is the theme of our celebrations this week.   It is the theme of the readings today.     Paul says, “It is for freedom that you have been set free.”

But what kind of freedom is Paul talking about?  What are the characteristics of Christian freedom?

One hint that the Church gives us is in the first reading.  Elijah the prophet is commanded by God to anoint a new king for Israel, and a new prophet.

There were 3 kinds of people anointed in the Old Testament.  Prophets, priests, and kings.  People were anointed to symbolize the fact that they were consecrated to God, used for his purpose, it symbolized this fact and provided the power of God to assist the person in accomplishing it.

Prophets were anointed for the purpose of sharing the word of God.  They spoke the truth to those in power, even when unpopular.  They resisted injustice and stood up for the oppressed.  They spoke comforting words to the downtrodden and hopeless.  They were mouthpieces for God.

Priests were anointed for the purpose of making sacrifices and prayers for the people of God.   They offered sacrifice to take away sin, prayed for people when they were sick or troubled, and blessed the people.   (Bow your heads)

Kings were anointed for the purpose of governing the people of God according to God’s law and promises.

Christ, whose name means ‘anointed’, was the fulfillment of these three anointed offices.  Christ was the perfect prophet, priest, and king.

And as we Christians, whose name means “little anointed ones”, are baptized into the body of Christ, we are anointed with this oil.   The sacred Chrism, it is olive oil mixed with balsam perfume, blessed by the bishop during Holy Week, and distributed throughout the diocese for the sacramental needs of the people. 

It is used to anoint bishops and priests when they are ordained.  It covers the hands with which they will bring Christ to people, forgive people, and bless people.

It is used to consecrate things permanently to the Lord.  Including altars like this one, which was at some point covered with the holy oil.

And…each one of you was consecrated with this holy oil.  At your baptism.  Right after you were baptized the priest or deacon anointed you on the head with Sacred Chrism, making you a Christian, a little anointed one.  And by that anointing you share in Christ’s triple dignity of prophet, priest, and king.

You are a prophet in that your baptism calls you to know the word of God, and to be able to share the good news of our faith with others.  To speak truth.  To oppose injustice.  To comfort the downtrodden and hopeless. 

You are a priest in that your baptism calls you to be a source of forgiveness and reconciliation in the world.  Where you see division, or gossip, or betrayal, you are supposed to bring healing and forgiveness.  And you are called to bring Christ to people.  My priesthood, and Fr. Zipple's priesthood, the sacramental priesthood, is at the service of yours.  To nourish yours, to call down Christ for you, so that you can carry him to the world.  (Eucharistic minister.  We need them.  No one sick or alone should be without)

You are, at your baptism, anointed a king.  (4^th of July = getting rid of kings)  Your kingdom is yourself.  You rule yourself.  Refuse to be controlled or manipulated by someone or something else.  Self-possessed, confident, and free.  Free from the control of other people’s opinions of you.  Free from addictions.  Free from manipulations.  Free from turning wants to need.  Free from the absolute tyranny of perfectionism. 

And this freedom, the freedom of the little anointed ones, is not just the absence of external control, or, as Paul says, simply being able to do whatever you want.  It is freedom for a mission.  As Paul puts it: “Serve one another, rather, in works of love.”  Freedom w/o purpose is mere license.  Our freedom is meant for the purpose of service, and to be able to give and receive love.   

And Jesus himself gives us some characteristics of what that love looks like. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” 

So, today, my little anointed brothers and sisters, we ask ourselves how we are using our threefold dignity.  How are we exercising our priesthood, prophecy, and self-rule?  At the end of Mass I will use the OT formula to bless you.  Bow your heads and pray for the grace to engage more deeply your call as prophet priest and king.