Exodus 30:22-38 (NRSV)
Anointing a sign of holiness
The Lord spoke to Moses: Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, two hundred fifty, and two hundred fifty of aromatic cane, and five hundred of cassia measured by the sanctuary shekel and a hin of olive oil; and you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the covenant, and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand; you shall consecrate them, so that they may be most holy; whatever touches them will become holy. You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, in order that they may serve me as priests. You shall say to the Israelites, "This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations. It shall not be used in any ordinary anointing of the body, and you shall make no other like it in composition; it is holy, and it shall be holy to you. Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an unqualified person shall be cut off from the people."
The Lord said to Moses: Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (an equal part of each), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy; and you shall beat some of it into powder, and put part of it before the covenant in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you; it shall be for you most holy. When you make incense according to this composition, you shall not make it for yourselves; it shall be regarded by you as holy to the Lord. Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume shall be cut off from the people.
Reflection
Ah the anointing oil, a gift of the Holy Spirit. Spread throughout the tabernacle. The signs of the Holy Spirit are everywhere. Signs that are pleasing to the senses. Signs that are spread on all that is holy. Oil given to the priests of the day.
Today the oil is a sign given in our baptism. We are marked with the cross of Christ and receive the oil of the Spirit on our foreheads. A wonderful sign of God in our lives. God in flesh, God in spirit, God in love. We become children of God. This is a special oil of anointing and a wonderful unique gift to a unique child of God. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, as I remember my baptism this day and relive that eternal moment, I think of the oil mark and the love you express in that mark. It's a special unique gift just for me. May I live out that spirit you have filled in me ... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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