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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider He has anointed me

He has anointed me

Published Apr 2, 2026 12:01 am  |  Updated Apr 1, 2026 04:03 pm
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today, as we celebrate the Chrism Mass, we are reminded of the anointing that sets us apart for God’s mission. In Isaiah, we hear the prophetic words: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.”
Jesus fulfills this prophecy in the Gospel of Luke, proclaiming that he has come to bring good news to the poor, liberty to captives, and healing to the brokenhearted. This Mass holds special significance because it highlights the sacred oils— the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Sacred Chrism—through which the Church continues Christ’s mission. These oils become instruments of grace, bringing healing, strength, and consecration.
The Sacred Chrism, in particular, reminds us of our baptismal call and the ordination of priests, who share in Christ’s priesthood and serve as shepherds to God’s people. Today, as the priests renew their promises, let us pray for them, that they may remain faithful to their calling. Let us also renew our own commitment to live as anointed disciples, bringing Christ’s love to all we meet. May the Spirit of the Lord, which anointed Jesus, continue to anoint us, so that we may proclaim His Kingdom with joy and faithfulness.
First Reading • Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8-9
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn; to place on those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes, to give them oil of gladness in place of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit. You yourselves shall be named priests of the Lord, ministers of our God shall you be called. I will give them their recompense faithfully, a lasting covenant I will make with them. Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them as a race the Lord has blessed.
Gospel • Luke 4:16-21
Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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