Text of Homily of
The Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark,
The Chrism Mass
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, NJ
April 14, 2003

At all times, but perhaps especially this year, I am thrilled as I hear the readings for the Chrism Mass proclaimed. Sometimes I wonder why these readings have such an effect. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to bring glad tidings to the lowly…” Jesus Christ loves us, frees us from our sins and has made us a loyal nation of priests. Jesus proclaims, anointed by the Spirit, and adverting to the great promises, “Today this Scripture passages is fulfilled in your hearing…”
Perhaps we just need to be reminded that we are not losing no matter what it seems like around us, no matter what others may think. Like the people of Israel, we have come through difficult times. We can welcome a word of hope.

In a certain material sense, we do not suffer as many have and as many are. Yet, the century we have passed through was a difficult and trying time for people of faith. You know the list of wars, deaths, the creeping rot of our culture that touched each of us and our families and loved ones. There have been myriad martyrs for the faith as there still are today. We need the power of God’s Word, the strength of His promises to know that He will prevail. We need hope.

Our hope is not based on ourselves and nor on our own feeble efforts, although our engagement is part of His plan. God is our Savior and our Hope. As we will celebrate this week, Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.

We do not focus on superficial or ephemeral things, nor on worldly power or wealth. We crave the gifts of the Spirit, of the human mind and heart, we long for enduring human truths, for human solidarity, for vitality for our Church and for our families.

It is the Lord Who has created us for such. It is He, who has stirred up our hearts. It is He, who announces: “Today this promise is fulfilled in your hearing!” Why would we not be thrilled? How could we not know hope?

The promise and gift is not just for ourselves. Isaiah says, “You, yourselves shall be named priests of the Lord” without in any way replacing the ancient priesthood.

All are called to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, each in his own way.

The Book of Revelations says that Jesus, Who loves us and frees us from our sins by His Blood, has made us a “loyal nation of priests in the service of His God and Father.” All of us are sent to mediate, to make present, to activate, to communicate the Word of God and the love of God everywhere.

Rooted deeply in faith, sustained by God’s Word and Sacraments, we live our vocations, marry, raise our families, live Christ centered lives. Those we encounter can know the power and victory of our God.

It is our faith, it is the faith of the Church, that this saving action of God which culminates in the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is extended across time and space to every nation and every person by the mission of His Church through we who are His people. This is accomplished most powerfully through Word and Sacrament.

Tonight, with the blessing of the Holy Oils, we think especially of the Sacraments which are actions of the Risen Lord and of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ, so that His mission might continue, calls forth forms and sustains His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. From among their number He calls men, sinners like all the rest, to serve in a special way that God’s people may be sanctified and nourished and strengthened. Holy Orders is a continuing sign of God’s initiative and care for His people. Through this special ministry of Word and Sacrament, priests shepherd and lead and serve.

We have had a painful and difficult year. We will not pretend that it did not happen. We will never pretend that it did not happen. We must not and we will not forget victims of the sins and failings of bishops and priests. We will continue to stand with them. We do not forget our brothers, some of whom are overly long in a “state of limbo” and we pledge our efforts to resolve their situations. BUT WE CANNOT SIMPLY REMAIN PARALYZED BY THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY.

The Mystery is too rich. The needs are too great.

This week our Holy Father Pope John Paul II will issue a new Encyclical Letter on the Holy Eucharist entitled Ecclesia de Eucharistia. He reaffirms the Church’s commitment to Liturgical Renewal.

If I may, I wish to share some brief passages from this profound teaching which is so consistent with His Pontificate. They can help us reflect together not only on the Holy Eucharist, but also on the Holy Priesthood which is at its service.

The Holy Father acknowledges the demands made on priests.

“Priests are engaged in a wide variety of pastoral activities. If we also consider the social and cultural conditions of the modern world, it is easy to understand how priests face the very real risk of losing their focus amid such a great number of different tasks. The Second Vatican Council saw in pastoral charity the bond which gives unity to the priest’s life and work. This, the Council adds, “flows mainly from the Eucharistic Sacrifice, which is therefore the center and root of the whole priestly life”.


But he insists that a simple flurry of activity is not the answer.

“At the dawn of this third millennium, we, the children of the Church, are called to undertake with renewed enthusiasm the journey of Christian living. As I wrote in my Apostolic Letter Novo Millenio Ineunte, it is not a matter of inventing a ‘new programme’. The programme already exists: it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition: it is the same as ever. Ultimately, it has its center in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated, so that in him we may live the life of the Trinity, and with Him transform history until its fulfillment in the heavenly Jerusalem”. The implementation of this programme of a renewed impetus in Christian living passes through the Eucharist.


The Holy Father stresses a point that I emphasized during my first days among you, especially when the priests and I gathered in prayer.

The worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass is of inestimable value for the life of the Church. This worship is strictly linked to the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

The presence of Christ under the sacred species reserved after Mass – a presence which lasts as long as the species of bread and of wine remain – derives from the celebration of the sacrifice and is directed towards communion, both sacramental and spiritual. It is the responsibility of Pastors to encourage, also by their personal witness, the practice of Eucharistic adoration, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in particular, as well as prayer of adoration before Christ present under the Eucharistic species.”


And the Encyclical many times underscores the enduring truth that the Ordained Priesthood is essential for the Holy Eucharist to be present in the Church.

The Holy Father says:

“I have pointed out on other occasions, the phrase in persona Christi “means more than offering ‘in the name of’ or ‘in the place of Christ.’ In persona means in specific sacramental identification with the eternal High Priest who is the author and principal subject of this sacrifice of his, a sacrifice in which, in truth, nobody can take his place." The ministry of priests who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders, in the economy of salvation chosen by Christ, makes clear that the Eucharist which they celebrate is a gift which radically transcends the power of the assembly and is in any event essential for validly linking the Eucharistic consecration to the sacrifice of the Cross and to the Last Supper.”


It is a great document which deals with fundamental realities of our faith.

It reminds us that we need priests. The life of the Church and the Mission of Christ requires their ministry. Tonight we pray for them and we thank them for their lives of service.

I invite them now to renew their commitment to priestly service.

About the Archbishop