Theme: “Anointed by the Spirit, Sent to Heal the World.”
By Archbishop Liborius N Nashenda, OMI
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-3abcd.6a.8b-9; Revelation 1:5-8; Luke 4:16-21
Dear Brothers in the Priesthood, Dear People of God,
From the beginning of this holy season of Lent, the Church has summoned us to
interior conversion and the transformation of our hearts. We have been invited to
return to the Lord with sincerity, for He is gracious and merciful (cf. Joel 2:13).
Lent has been a time of discernment: to recognize our wounds, to confront the
habits that estrange us from God, and to surrender them in humility. It has been a
time to deepen our communion with Christ, who suffered and died so that we
might live.
At the heart of this journey lies the Cross, the supreme sign of love. Christ Jesus,
our Friend, our Savior, our Shepherd, has embraced suffering so that we might find
peace in Him, especially amid the turbulence of our world. Through fasting and
penance, we have not only disciplined our bodies but also cultivated solidarity with
the poor, embodying the charity that lies at the very centre of Christ’s mission.
Today, as we celebrate the Chrism Mass, the Word of God reminds us of our
Christian mission: to share in Christ’s work of bringing hope, consolation,
freedom, and healing to the world.
- The Mission of Christ
The Prophet Isaiah speaks to a people in exile, proclaiming restoration and
salvation through the Spirit-filled Messiah. What Isaiah announced in hope, Christ
fulfills in reality. In the synagogue of Nazareth, Jesus proclaims: “The Spirit of the
Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Lk
4:18).
This is the heart of His mission: the poor receive dignity, the broken-hearted are
healed, captives are freed, and the blind see. Jesus inaugurates the Jubilee, the year
of the Lord’s favour, restoration, forgiveness, and new beginnings. And we, as His
disciples, are called to continue this mission in our own time. Our mission today is
to heal the world.
- The Cry of the Poor Today
The Gospel is not abstract; it touches real human suffering, spiritual, social, and
physical. In our own society, we see the faces of Christ in the poor, the
unemployed, the victims of violence, the sick, the elderly, and the marginalized.
The wounds of corruption, injustice, and neglect cry out for healing. The world is
very much in need of healing and restoration.
As anointed members of Christ’s Body, whether through the common priesthood
of the baptized or the ministerial priesthood, we are called to respond with
compassion, courage, and fidelity to the Spirit. Charity begins in our homes/ in our
parishes but must radiate outward into society, transforming structures and
relationships in the light of the Gospel. Our mission is to change the face of the
world. - Priestly, Prophetic, and Kingly Mission
The second reading reminds us that Christ has made us “a kingdom, priests to His
God and Father” (Rev 1:6). Each Christian shares in this priestly, kingly, and
prophetic mission. Pope Leo XIV, in his Lenten message, reminds us that “the cry
of the poor constantly challenges our lives, societies, and the Church.”
To be faithful to Christ is to stand with the weak, the scorned, and the suffering. It
is to comfort the broken-hearted, to visit the sick, to care for the elderly, and to
defend the dignity of the vulnerable. For the Lord Himself assures us: “Whatever
you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me” (Mt 25:40).
St. John of the Cross echoes this truth: “In the evening of our lives, we will be
judged on love.” Let us therefore be renewed in our service, ensuring that our
Christian identity is visible in our work, our relationships, and our witness.
- The Oils of the Church’s Life
Today’s liturgy is profoundly sacramental. In blessing the holy oils, we touch the
very heart of the Church’s life:
The Oil of Catechumens (Oleum Catechumenorum) strengthens those
preparing for baptism, fortifying them for the spiritual battle.
The Oil of the Sick (Oleum Infirmorum) brings healing and consolation to
the suffering, uniting them to Christ’s own passion.
The Sacred Chrism (Sactum Chrisma) consecrates the baptized, confirms
the faithful, ordains priests and bishops, and sanctifies churches and altars.
These oils, blessed today, will accompany the faithful throughout the year,
marking their lives with the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Chrism Mass thus
connects us to the Church’s entire sacramental life.
- A Word to My Brother Priests
Dear priests, today you renew the promises of your ordination. I thank you for your
tireless dedication to the mission of evangelization in our Archdiocese of
Windhoek. Your ministry is indispensable, and your witness is cherished.
Today we have 3 potential dangers of the priesthood that we need to fight: a.)
Isolation, loneliness, and disconnection from Community. b) Burnout: Emotional
and spiritual exhaustion from ministry demands. c) Modern clericalism: The risk of
prioritizing status over service, losing humility. I want you to stay grounded in
service with passion. Learn to say No to non-essential commitments. Your mission
is to heal the world and not to wound it. Your mission is to heal the broken hearts,
to bring consolation and joy to the world.
As Pope Leo XIV exhorted: “Renew before the Heart of Christ the ‘YES’ you said
on the day of your ordination. Guard the fire of the Spirit and let yourselves be
shaped by grace. The Lord does not seek perfect priests, but humble hearts open to
conversion and love.” This is a good reminder of the joy of the priesthood.
May the Lord strengthen your vocations, my brother Priests, sustain your zeal, and
grant you joy in serving His people. To our deacons, I also express gratitude for
your selfless service. Also: to all consecrated persons of different Congregations, I
hereby express my heartfelt thanks for your contribution towards the work of
evangelization in the Archdiocese. And last, but not least, to all the faithful. I
humbly ask your prayers, for your priests, for your deacons, and for me, your
shepherd, that we may serve with fidelity and compassion.
Conclusion
Beloved brothers and sisters, Christ the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and
the end, is with us, thus, we trust in his continuous guiding presence. Let us remain
pilgrims of hope, witnesses of mercy, and servants of love. May the Spirit who
anointed Christ also anoint us anew, so that our lives may proclaim: “Today this
Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Amen.
