anointed or defeated?
"Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David." —1 Samuel 16:13
Samuel had anointed Saul, but Saul had been unfaithful. Samuel grieved over Saul's unfaithfulness, but the Lord told Samuel to quit crying and to anoint someone else (1 Sm 16:1ff). We likewise need to quit bemoaning the evils of our time and proceed to anoint others. This means that we should lead people to be baptized into Jesus, to receive the anointings of Baptism and also Confirmation. We should also devote our lives to helping the two billion baptized people in the world to live their Baptisms to the full.
The title "Christ" means "anointed one." We who are baptized into Christ are "anointed ones." Through our anointings, we have all the wisdom, power, and love to transform the world for Jesus. We need only live our anointings, especially by leading others to the anointed life in Christ. How could two billion Christians anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit fail to transform the world and to hasten the final coming of the Christ? Only if we fail to live our anointings can we falter. Therefore, let us be Christians to the full. Nothing more or less is necessary to renew the face of the earth (see Ps 104:30).
Prayer: Father, by my life may many people change the way they think of Christians. Make me like Christ.
Promise: "With My holy oil I have anointed him that My hand may be always with him, and that My arm may make him strong." —Ps 89:21-22
Praise: Pope St. Fabian sent missionaries to Western Europe, fought heresy in Africa, and witnessed to the world by giving his life to Christ as a martyr.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation on audio AV 47A-1 or video V-47A.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert A. Stricker, June 23, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2003