MAY 9, 2017
8:45 AM ORDINARY FORM MASS (4TH GRADE)
In the Acts of the Apostles, we hear that in Antioch the followers of Jesus were first called Christians.
The last two weeks, we heard about the Church in Alexandria founded by St. Mark, who was succeeded a few centuries later by St. Athanasius. This week we hear of the Christians in Antioch.
Of the other ancient Christian cities, there are also Jerusalem and Rome – which you may already know about. But the fifth is Constantinople.
The word Christians comes from the word Christ (in Greek) which means Messiah (in Hebrew) which means "Anointed One."
We are also anointed. There are three oils for anointing: the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and Sacred Chrism. The one named Sacred Chrism gets its name from the same word in Greek meaning anointed.
Sacred Chrism is also used in Baptism, Confirmation, and in Holy Orders (for the ordination of priests and bishops.) Sacred Chrism is also used in consecrating churches, altars, chalices, and patens.
Which brings us to the big question. If the followers of Jesus in Antioch were known as "Christians," do you live, think, speak, and act in a way that would identify you as a Christian.
