Sunday Gospel Comment

 

Alberic Jacovone OSB

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YEAR B

EXALTATION OF THE CROSS - 14.9.03

Nos 21,4-9; Phil 2,6-11; Jn 3,13-17

What's in a Word?

The word 'christ' = xp
Is at times symbolically rendered with the super imposition of two capital letters of the Greek alphabet Chi & Rho. Some large hosts for Eucharist carry this symbol. 'Christ' is a concept that has motivated and transformed the cultures of our world for 2000 years. We celebrated the Year of the Great Jubilee in 2000. On this concept, revolves the Gospel of Mark, as it starts with the words: 'beginning of the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ, Son of God' (1,1); it is centred on Peter's words of the Roman centurion: 'Truly this man was God's Son' (1, 5.39), meaning that Jesus is Christ (=Messiah son of David (Mt. 1,1), foretold as Suffering 'Son of man' and as 'Son of God'.
Christos, a word about perfume and aroma
The word Christ gives meaning and energy to a host of key words in our Faith. It comes from the Greek verb Chrio (= to anoint with perfume), which in turn is linked to the anointing with the Holy Spirit, God¹s perfume. It has generated many other words: Chrysm (= perfumed ointment), to Chrysten and Chrystening (= to anoint and anointing with Christ's perfume, which is called the Holy Spirit), Chrysmation ( the action of rubbing the Holy Spirit¹s perfume, called Confirmation), Christ-Christos (= the One who is anointed and perfumed with the Holy Spirit, past participle of the verb Chrio), Christian (= a person who like Christ, radiates Christ's Holy Spirit). Christianity (the world-wide Church radiating God's Holy Spirit), and from these come Christianism, Christianize, Christology, Christological. There is even a city called Christiania, now called Oslo. And now you know what Kristy means. These words have in common, not so much the idea of anointing with oil, to make things go smooth, but that of wonderment, empowerment and well-being which, is generated as the aroma and 'sweet smell' of Christ¹s Holy Spirit spreads - as perfume - from within.
Christ is a transliteration of Messiah (Mashiach)
The cultic action of anointing and perfuming Kings, priests and prophets is well known in ancient cultures. The Pharaohs in Egypt used it for their enthronement, and assumed the role of Son of God by adoption. In Old Testament times, Kings, Prophets and Priests were anointed to signify their God - given commission. And slowly a longing emerged, that one day the Spirit of God would come and anoint the perfect 'Christ', who would fulfil God¹s promise, plan and kingdom.
Questions for year 2003
What does Christ resonate in you? Does the world Christian make you feel special - like Peter - as he said to Jesus: You are the Christ! As we face the new millennium, who is your Messiah, what are you waiting for? Today, honour your Christening: if the water of Baptism gives you the awareness that through the breaking of waters you are born a child of God, the Christening with the Holy Spirit empowers you to live and act in a Christ-like way, (in persona Christi).

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