[1Sam 16:1-13/Psa 89:20-22,27-28/Mark 2:23-28]
Every genuinely baptized Christian received the gift of ointment with the oil of gladness after the washing and cleansing by water.
Known in Latin as “tria munera”, the oil imprints on each Christian the “threefold offices” of priest, prophet and king.
John Paul II used these offices in his identification of a parish. A parish is not just people who happen to live in a vicinity, but where this threefold office is excercised with the collaborative ministry of clergy, religious and laity.
Baptismal anointing is thus crucial both for the individual life and the Church.
About King David, the Lord declared: “I have set the crown on one who is exalted and chosen from the people. With my holy oil I have anointed him; my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him” (Ps 89).
Thus, like King David, those also who are anointed (Christians) shall cry out to God, saying: “You are our Father, our God, and the Rock of our salvation” (ibid).
The Lord has become all things to us and for us. He is Lord of and more important than the Sabbath. We must observe Sabbath orders in respect of faith in God and trust in his providence (Gospel).
