We offer him our service to the extent that we can

By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami

Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily at the annual chrism Mass where priests renew their ordination promises and the Holy Oils — used in parishes for the sacraments — are blessed and consecrated. The Mass was celebrated April 15, 2025, the Tuesday of Holy Week, at St. Mary Cathedral.

We bless the Holy Oils. The itinerary of our lives as Catholics is marked by various anointings. As we were prepared for baptism, we were anointed with the Oil of Catechumens; then, in Baptism and Confirmation and during the ordinations of priests and bishops with the Sacred Chrism. Please God, at the end of our lives, we will receive a final anointing – with the Oil of the Sick so that, at that hour, the Spirit will strengthen and console us. The word “Christian” simply means “an anointed one”.  Our anointing means we belong to Christ.

Today’s first reading is taken from the Prophet Isaiah, great prophet of the Messiah. In today's passage, Isaiah speaks of the servant who is anointed the Messiah — the Christ — by the Spirit. He goes on to describe Christ's mission to announce glad tidings — the Joy of the Gospel — to the poor, restore sight to the blind, to free the captive and the oppressed, to declare a Jubilee.

It was this text that Jesus chose for his first sermon. It is the interpretive key to understanding all that would follow in the Gospel. It is as though Isaiah has written a job description for Jesus and for each one of us “Christened” people.

After Jesus cited this Isaiah passage, he sat down and told his listeners. “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”. But is this scripture fulfilled today in our hearing?  It is to the extent our parishes and ministries are involved in the issues that touch on the life and dignity of the human person. And we fail to the extent that we give more allegiance to our political or socio-economic “tribes” than to the “Gospel”.  Brothers and sisters, if we take our anointing seriously, we cannot be indifferent to the poor, the blind, the captive, to the oppressed of our communities and neighborhoods. We cannot be indifferent to alienated and lonely youth, nor the elderly who cannot afford a place to live. We cannot be indifferent to those held captive by mental illness or drug addiction. We cannot not feel the anxiety, the fear of the undocumented or irregular migrant. Nor can we ignore the despair of the prisoner or the detained. Christian spirituality – Judeo-Christian spirituality - must be more than an exercise of navel gazing (or what Pope Francis would call "being self-referential.")

As those who are anointed and therefore belong to Christ, we must necessarily be engaged in this vale of tears with the world of pain and hurt that surrounds us – and here in South Florida we are literally surrounded by islands of pain: Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. To be committed to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy to our brothers and sisters in need, here and abroad, does not contradict the Church's spiritual mission (to get people to heaven) but complements it. It assumes it.

We are anointed – and we belong to Christ – and so we speak out in defense of the rights and dignity of human life from the moment of conception till natural death, we strive to promote and strengthen traditional marriage between one man and one woman for the sake of children. Seeking to recognize Christ in least of our brethren, we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, instruct the ignorant, welcome the migrant, we visit the prisoner (and advocate for the end of capital punishment). We do so amid what the Pope has called a “throwaway” culture and at a time when we see a growing “globalization of indifference.”  We face strong opposing headwinds in our culture. Even some who walk with us in faith can misunderstand us – and sometimes claim to be “heartbroken” by our positions that are by no means ideological but evangelical.

But todays Chrism Mass recalls the institution of the New Testament priesthood. Like Peter when Jesus drew near him to wash his feet, we can protest our unworthiness. And, if we don’t, you, God’s holy people, will. You will no doubt remind us of our unworthiness. And this is perhaps fitting – for our gift – the gift of priesthood – is not given to us for our sakes but for yours. Pray for us, pray that we be the priests you need, the priests you deserve. Pray that you will never lack for such priests.

Of course, there is an elephant in the room – or at least the elephant in the room of my head – whether this Chrism Mass will be my last as your Archbishop – since in October I will have offer my resignation to the Holy Father. But given that across the country there are several archbishops serving beyond their 75th birthdays, don’t be too quick to make me into a lame duck just yet.

As Pope Benedict wrote in Deus Caritas Est: “In all humility we will do what we can, and in all humility, we will entrust the rest to the Lord. It is God who governs the world, not we. We offer him our service only to the extent that we can, and for as long as he grants us the strength. To do all we can with what strength we have, however, is the task which keeps the good servant of Jesus Christ always at work: ‘The love of Christ urges us on’ (2 Cor 5: 14).” #35 Deus Caritas Est.

We honor today those of our number who are celebrating special jubilees of their ordinations: 25, 50, and 60 and even 65 years. Thank you for your perseverance, thank you for your witness. (And tomorrow we will lay to rest Father Sean Mulcahy who served this local Church for 63 years!)

My brother priests, in the presence of the People of God, in the presence of these transitional deacons, two to be ordained next month and eight, God willing next year, I will now ask you to renew the promises you freely gave on the Day of your Ordination. In carrying out your ministry, bear in mind that, as you share the one bread with your brothers and sisters, you form one body with them. Show a sincere love for Christ's Mystical Body, God's holy people, and especially for the weak and the sick, the poor and the migrant.  Bear with people’s faults patiently — be a reconciled and reconciling presence in the communities in which you serve. Be obedient to the commandment which the Lord gave to his apostles at the Last Supper: "Love one another as I also have loved you.”