Monday, March 18, 2013

 

Is. 42:16-21; Ps. 126; Phil. 3:4b-14; John 12-:1-8

Commemoration: Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386)

John 12:3 “Mary took a pound of costly perfume… anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.”

 

A reading from Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, XXI, 4: "On Chrism":

[To those who have just been baptized:]

… while your body is anointed with the visible ointment, your soul is sanctified by the Holy and life-giving Spirit.

And you were first anointed on the forehead, that you might be delivered from shame, …Then on your ears; that you might receive the ears which are quick to hear the Divine Mysteries…Then on the nostrils; that receiving the sacred ointment you may say, "We are to God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved. " (2 Cor. 2:15) Afterwards on your breast; that having put on the breastplate of righteousness, you may stand against the wiles of the devil.…saying, "I can do all things in Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

 

O God, our springtime, may we be anointed with the sweet fragrance of your Spirit. Amen

 

• Take a small amount of olive oil and anoint your hands (eyes, lips, ears!) to do God's work in the world.