Chrism

In the early Christian church this service was the most important service of the church year. This particular service… The Vigil, the Great Vigil of Easter. Not many things get called "great" in the church. Off the top of my head, I can only think of two others: The Great Litany and the Great Amen, that all capitals "AMEN" that should bounce off the walls at the end of the Eucharistic prayer. This is the Great Vigil of Easter, the greatest single worship service of the church year.

In those early days of the church, it was a true vigil that began Saturday evening and continued throughout the night to greet the Easter dawn. It was the service of Easter, and it was the service of baptism. Those were the real good ol’ days, when all Christians were converts. When everyone who was baptized was intentionally, eagerly, forcefully choosing to become a Christian. Back when being a Christian meant something; when baptism was a life-changing event. Sometimes it meant death and persecution. Always it meant a life joyously shared with Christ and eagerly lived for Christ. Those were the good ol’ days, back in the 200’s.

I have very mixed feelings when I hear talk in the churches about the good ol’ days, usually meaning the 50’s and maybe the 60’s when the pews were full and there were twenty services each Sunday… Those stories are not unique to this parish. I know that there truly was a lot that was very good about the 50’s. But I read a description once in a church publication describing those days as a time when general American culture, American society automatically dropped people by the busload on the doorsteps of churches, especially suburban Protestant churches. I know there were people of deep faith and Christian commitment among those throngs. Those of you who are still here from those days are those people. But it was the general culture, society, that brought many to the churches. It was expected; it was what people did; there were fewer other options for activity. For many of those people it was not a serious faith commitment and sadly the churches did not always instill or nurture a deep faith.

American society, American suburban culture, American urban culture isn’t running those buses anymore. (Some of them may still run in rural areas.) And I’m not sure that’s all bad. We live now in a secular culture with lots of appealing lifestyles that are not Christian. We are back in the real good ol’ days of first, second and third century Christianity when becoming and being a Christian was a choice, a serious and intentional commitment made in the face, often, of considerable pressure not to be faithful. Churches again are forced to preach and live the Gospel, not just organize programs. And individuals are asked to make intentional and serious commitments to Christ and Christ’s Church.

As a part of this service this evening, we will renew our baptismal vows. We do that from time to time in our worship life together and always at the Great Vigil of Easter. As we do it this evening think about what that same baptismal commitment meant in second century Rome, where living as Christ’s own was worth risking being thrown to the lions. Think about what your own baptismal commitment really means amid the secular demands and pressures of your daily life. There are risks today associated with living as Christ’s own. But it is still worth it.

You’ll notice this evening if you’ve been to Vigils before that things are arranged a little differently. The Paschal candle is in the center, more in the midst of you, the people. And beside it is a bowl with chrism in it. Both are important symbols related to baptism. In baptism we receive the light of Christ, symbolized by the Paschal candle. By God’s awesome grace the light of Christ comes into our lives. Christ, the morning star who knows no setting, rises in our lives at baptism. And it is our Easter affirmation that nothing can quench that light.

The Paschal candle, the light of Christ, always shines at baptisms.

Chrism is not required at baptism. The Prayer Book indicates that it may be used, if desired, at that point in the baptism service when the presider makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the baptismal candidate and says, "You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever." Chrism is more commonly used in Anglo-Catholic or high-church parishes and dioceses. It’s a wonderful symbol. It is a symbol of connection and commitment to the church. Sealed as Christ’s own but also specifically brought into membership in the church. Chrism can only be consecrated by a Bishop. Its use then signifies the role of bishop as chief pastor of the body of the faithful and the symbolic role of the bishop as a figure of unity and communion between the diverse members of the church.

The actual materials used to make chrism are olive oil and balsam. Listen to this description from a Catholic dictionary: "If it be asked why chrism has been thus introduced into the functions of the church liturgy, a reason is found in its special fitness for this purpose by reason of its symbolical significance. For olive-oil, being of its own nature rich, diffusive, and abiding, is fitted to represent the copious outpouring of sacramental grace, while balsam, which gives forth most agreeable and fragrant odors, typifies the innate sweetness of Christian virtue. Oil also gives strength and suppleness to the limbs, while balsam preserves from corruption. Thus anointing with chrism aptly signifies that fullness of grace and spiritual strength by which we are enabled to resist… sin and produce the sweet flowers of virtue. ‘For we are the good odor of Christ unto God’ (2 Corinthians 2:15)."

In many dioceses it is the custom to hold a so-called Chrism mass during Holy Week. On that occasion, the Bishop consecrates chrism to be distributed to priests throughout the diocese for use throughout the coming year. The chrism mass is also an opportunity for Christians in all orders of ministry—the lay order in addition to the diaconal, priestly and episcopal orders—to renew and reaffirm their Christian vocations while receiving anointing with chrism by the bishop.

This chrism is a symbol of your baptism. Whether or not you had a choice when you were baptized, you have a choice now whether or not to willingly claim the Light of Christ and live in the world according to your baptismal covenant. You have the opportunity to take being a Christian seriously. The baptismal covenant outlines a vocation to ministry, your commitment to represent and bear witness to Christ. As you come forward to participate in communion tonight touch the chrism, feel it, smell it. Put some on the hands with which you minister or on your forehead to remind you of baptism. Or on your throat for the voice with which you sing God’s praises or proclaim the Good News of Easter. Whatever. Don’t be cautious or shy. Some directions for the use of chrism indicate that it should be applied lavishly and generously. There are also little cards there. Pick one up if you like and individually reaffirm your baptismal vocation. Take it with you.

Chrism is oil. The altar guild may kill me, but oil can be messy. It spreads; it gets on things; it leaves spots. It is diffusive and abiding. What a wonderful image for the risks and joys of Christian life and vocation!