695. Anointing. the symbolism of anointing with oil also signifies the Holy Spirit,30 to the point of becoming a synonym for the Holy Spirit. In Christian initiation, anointing is the sacramental sign of Confirmation, called “chrismation” in the Churches of the East. Its full force can be grasped only in relation to the primary anointing accomplished by the Holy Spirit, that of Jesus. Christ (in Hebrew “messiah”) means the one “anointed” by God’s Spirit. There were several anointed ones of the Lord in the Old Covenant, pre-eminently King David.31 But Jesus is God’s Anointed in a unique way: the humanity the Son assumed was entirely anointed by the Holy Spirit. the Holy Spirit established him as “Christ.”32 The Virgin Mary conceived Christ by the Holy Spirit who, through the angel, proclaimed him the Christ at his birth, and prompted Simeon to come to the temple to see the Christ of the Lord.33 The Spirit filled Christ and the power of the Spirit went out from him in his acts of healing and of saving.34 Finally, it was the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead.35 Now, fully established as “Christ” in his humanity victorious over death, Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit abundantly until “the saints” constitute – in their union with the humanity of the Son of God – that perfect man “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”:36 “the whole Christ,” in St. Augustine’s expression.
Aprofunde seus conhecimentos
96. What does the “Immaculate Conception” mean?
84. What is the meaning of the title “Lord”?
286. What kind of worship is due to the sacrament of the Eucharist?
224. What are the sacraments and which are they?
230. For what reason are the sacraments necessary for salvation?
569. How can vocal prayer be described?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What is the story of Uzziah and how was he punished for disobeying God?
How to deal with anger and anger, according to Proverbs 15:1-2?
How important is Esther’s purpose and mission in Esther 4:14?
What was the story of King Amon’s violent death and rebellion in 2 Kings 21-22?
What does the promise of salvation and redemption in the midst of judgment in Micah 2:12-13 mean?
What does it mean to submit to God’s discipline, according to Hebrews 12:5-11?
How can we flee the appearances of evil, as described in 1 Thessalonians 5:22?
