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Unction
of Life by Virginia M. Kimball, S.T.D.
Strangely seen there in that furnace of oil, a fourth figure flickered in the flames. “How bizarre,” thought the king puzzled, afraid, startled and asking: “Didn’t we put three men there to boil?” Daniel 3:91 A mystical man walked about, spinning moisture in a bubbling pool of death: a dew laden breeze permeated through. But flames never caused them pain nor any harm as they sang: Blessed are you, Yahweh, and glory is your name. Daniel 3:50-51
This Life-giver flows as the culture of life … “mercy” as eleison built from eleos meaning … oil! Oil of light, oil for food, olive wood shelter, oiled for health, oil to anoint, olive fruit from generation to generation – Like olive plants are your children around the table! Psalm 128:3 Job reflected his days of health remembering God’s abundant gifts: When the Almighty was yet with me, when my footsteps were bathed in milk … the rock flowed with streams of oil. Job 29:5-6
As the Bridegroom comes, His oil spills upon our head, touches our heart, anoints our hands, and life bursts anew. He, a divine river of mercy, a fathomless gulf of great loving-kindness, a merciful One, lets streams of Mercy tumble on us, and comes healing all! On us hurting and ailing people, God gives compassion and mercy! O Savior, incorruptible Chrism, You empty yourself of gifts purifying the world, show mercy on our wounds! 4th Kathismata and Ode
As the oil flows down our hearts, who is the mother of it all? Whose faith captured this? In your Divine Birth-giving, O Mother, bearing the Creator, manifest yourself as the fruitful olive tree, whom the world finds, seeing you who filled with mercy. 6th Ode Embrace us who suffer … and
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