THEME: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME …” (LUKE 4:18)
READINGS: Isaiah 61:1-3,6,8-9/ Revelation 1:5-8/ Luke 4:16-21
Chrism Mass at Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra, on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026
Homily by Bishop John Kobina Louis
INTRODUCTION
Dear Bishop, brother priests, consecrated men and women, and beloved in Christ, this is a grace-filled moment to gather around our Archbishop, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, to celebrate the annual sacred Chrism Mass.
Our Archbishop will bless or consecrate oils by which God’s people are sanctified — but even more, we (priests) will renew our commitments to the anointing which we received at ordination.
Today’s readings remind us that the use of Chrism oil at ordination points to something more awesome, i.e., like Christ, in whose priesthood we share, priests are anointed by the Holy Spirit Himself (cf. Luke 4:18).
1. “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME …”
In the Gospel of Luke, this declaration of Jesus is not accidental. It follows His baptism in the Jordan, where the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Spirit rested upon Him and empowered His mission (cf. Acts 10:37-38).
Jesus is the “Anointed One”—the Christ—not by mere oil, but by the very indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Dear brother priests, at our ordination, hands were laid upon us, and we were anointed. That was not a mere ritual—the same Spirit that rested upon Christ was given to us.
But here is the question: Is that anointing still burning within us like a sustained effect of a deep heating ointment?
It is possible to be validly ordained, yet spiritually lukewarm. It is possible to function as priests, yet lack the fire of the Spirit.
So, dear priests, let us pray:
- For a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit
- For the grace to rekindle the gift within us (cf. 2 Tim 1:6)
- For a priesthood that is not mechanical, but Spirit-driven
Let us not rely only on knowledge or experience. Let us return to the source: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”
2. “PREACH GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR”
The first fruit of the anointing is mission: “He has sent me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18).
In our Ghanaian context, poverty is real—and it is not only material. Yes, there is economic hardship, youth unemployment, etc. But there is also:
- Emotional poverty
- Loneliness and despair
- Etc.
Brothers, the poor do not need sermons that weigh them down—they need Good News that lifts them up. To preach the Good News to the poor means:
- Preaching hope in the midst of suffering
- Proclaiming that God has not abandoned them
- Making the Church a place where the poor feel seen, welcomed, and valued (let us be sensitive to them during fundraising)
Let our preaching be:
- Simple but profound
- Compassionate but truthful
- Rooted in Christ, not in personal opinions or agenda
3. “PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES”
Besides the poor, some people are captives. Many Christians in Ghana today are held bound by:
- Fear of witchcraft and other evil forces
- Dependence on charms and occult practices
- Deception by false prophets and exploitative ministries
- Spiritual insecurity and confusion
Brothers, we must not be silent. To proclaim release to the captives means:
- Teaching clearly that Christ has conquered all powers
- Freeing people from fear through sound doctrine and prayers
- Encouraging trust in the sacraments, not superstition
- Offering pastoral guidance rooted in truth, not sensationalism
Let us preach with conviction that no charm, no curse, no power is greater than Christ!
So, unlike fear-mongering “pastors”, our ministry must liberate people.
4. “RECOVERING OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND”
In John 9, Jesus restores sight to a man born blind—not only physical sight, but spiritual vision. Today, many are spiritually blind:
- Blinded by ignorance of the faith
- Blinded by misinformation and false teachings
- Blinded by moral confusion
- Blinded by distractions of modern life
Brothers, we are called to lead people to see again. How?
- Through solid catechesis
- Through well-prepared and sound homilies
- Through Bible teaching and formation programmes
- Through personal accompaniment and spiritual direction
We must not assume our people understand the faith — they need to be taught, guided, and enlightened.
A priest who does not teach clearly leaves his people in darkness. Let us, like Christ, always teach with clarity even when the message is not popular.
5. “SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED”
Today, oppression takes many forms in our society:
- Domestic abuse and family breakdown
- Addiction—alcohol, drugs, pornography
- Economic exploitation
- Social injustice
- Psychological burdens and depression
Christ did not only preach—He acted. He touched, healed, defended, restored. So must we. Brothers, our ministry must be both:
- Sacramental and practical
- Spiritual and compassionate
We can help liberate the oppressed by:
- Being available and approachable
- Supporting the vulnerable in our communities
- Collaborating with lay organizations for social outreach
- Promoting justice, peace, and human dignity
- Offering counselling and pastoral care
Let our parishes not be only places of worship—but centres of healing and liberation.
CONCLUSION: “THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD”
Jesus’ reading from the Book of Isaiah ended with: “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:19). The first coming of Christ inaugurated the era of grace and salvation. The time when God visits His people.
Brothers, we are the instruments of this time. When people meet us:
- They should experience God’s mercy
- They should encounter God’s compassion
- They should feel God’s presence
Our priesthood must not be a burden to the people—it must be a blessing.
Let it be said of our ministry:
- That through us, captives found freedom
- That through us, the blind received sight
- That through us, the poor heard Good News
- That through us, the oppressed were lifted up
- And above all: That through us, the acceptable year of the Lord became real.
May the Holy Spirit, who anointed Christ, renew His anointing in us today.
Finally, may we go forth from this Chrism Mass as Spirit-filled instruments of Christ’s mission.
Amen.