Joel 2: 1–2, 12–17; Psalm 103: 8–14 ; II Corinthians 5:
20b – 6: 10; Matthew 6: 1–6, 16–21
This is the homily
by Fr. Gene Tucker that was given at St. John’s, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania on Wednesday,
February 14, 2018 by Fr. Gene Tucker.
“MARKED
AS CHRIST’S OWN FOREVER”
When
a person is baptized, oil of Chrism is applied to their foreheads, and these
words are spoken: “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism, and are marked
as Christ’s own forever.”
The
Church has been observing this rite for centuries, and perhaps even from the
very earliest times of its existence. But this action has its roots in the
ancient world: Soldiers in the Roman army had the names of their commanding
generals tattooed on their foreheads. (As a retired soldier, I’m not sure what
happened when a soldier’s commanding general changed.) To bear the name of
one’s commander was to say, in effect, “I belong to General so-and-so.”
The
writer of the Book of Revelation picks up on this theme[1], writing
that the saints of God are sealed with the Lord’s name on their foreheads. To
receive such a sealing is to fall under the Lord’s protection.
As we
make our way through life, we receive sealings on our foreheads at various
times:
- In baptism, as we mentioned a moment ago;
- On Ash Wednesday each year;
- When we are sick or ill (a rite called Unction); and
- At death (a rite called Extreme Unction).
Oil
of Chrism is used at baptism and for healing. A different oil is used at the
time of death. But ashes are used on Ash Wednesday.
The
oil of Chrism has a permanent quality: “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in
Baptism, and are marked as Christ’s own forever.” When sickness arises, and an anointing is
done with that same oil of Chrism, the implication is that the illness cannot
separate us from God’s claim on us, made in Baptism. Even at death, when a
different oil is used, we reiterate that claim that God made on us when we were
baptized.
But
ashes have a different association: In
the Old Testament period, ashes were a sign of mourning, especially mourning
for sin and wrongdoing. When God’s people were made aware of their shortcomings
before the coming of Christ, often then would cover their heads with ashes and
sit in sackcloth.
Ashes
make us aware that one of the tools we need in order to walk with God is to be
able and willing to say to God, “I’m sorry, I’ve fallen short of your righteous
standards.” Such a tool will be a necessary one all throughout our earthly
lives, until we see God face-to-face in eternity.
To be
able to say “I’m sorry” is to be able to allow God to reinforce His claim on
us, a claim that started at the time of our baptisms, a claim that will extend
into all eternity. The path to restoring a healthy relationship with God begins
with us. It begins when we are willing and able to say, “I goofed up.”
Ashes
also remind us that this earthly life will have an end. There will come a time
for all of us when this life will be no more. If we realize and acknowledge
this eventual reality, then a sense of urgency can follow, as we realize that
we must be about God’s work and God’s business while we have the opportunity.
Being able to do God’s work and God’s business is possible when we have a
healthy relationship with God.
So
Lent is now upon us. We have been sealed on our foreheads with God’s claim on
our lives. Now we come to recognize that we have this guarantee only now in
part, for in this life, our close relationship with God can become impaired
from time-to-time. Lent offers us a time to begin anew, approaching the God who
is not only holy, but who is also full of grace and mercy, saying, “Lord, I’m
sorry for the ways in which I have not lived up to your claim on my life”.
AMEN.
[1] See Revelation 7: 3. The writer of Revelation appropriates imagery
from the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel. See Ezekiel 9: 4 – 6.
