A week last Friday when I arrived back from Rome I visited Fr Roddy Johnston and his family. Jis family were in obvious shock at the sudden demise of their beloved brother yet were also amazed and touched by the love shown to him, and them, by priests and deacons and people. It was acts of service, supporting someone in need. It was the Church acting naturally.

As I prayed over the readings in preparation for tonight it struck me that Jesus, the Anointed One, has come serve the Father and us, bringing salvation, now and for eternity and that he insisted it is already being fulfilled. Jesus therefore is our hope and our servant.

To a confused world, overflowing with suffering Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God – not a geographical place but what happens when people accept him and embrace God’s ways.

The Book of Apocalypse describes us as ‘priests called to serve God’. Through baptism we are all a priestly people, consecrated to serve God and others, anointed with the perfumed Chrism to bring the sweet odour of Christ’s love into people’s lives, not least those on the margins. Pope Francis constantly reminds us that we are ordained for service – and I thank you brothers for that service -  just as the laity are called to serve through marriage, family, work, social situations – and I thank you for all that you do.

How do we know who to serve and the manner in which that service is to be offered? We servants must listen to our Divine Master.

Last October during the Synod of Bishops we were continually reminded that we must listen to God. Listening to God through prayer but also listening to each other for we are all temples of the Holy Spirit. Yes, of course we must discern if what we are hearing is truly of the Spirit or of the world but we must listen first!

We are shortly beginning the third phase of Led by the Spirit. The focus will be Mission. What a beautiful vocation we have - we are to proclaim the Kingdom, be instruments of God’s grace, attract people to Christ, to baptism, to become members of the Church and in turn be sent out as missionaries.

How do we as small communities do this? God is with us! There is no need to fear which is why I invite the People of God to discern together! Therefore, I invite everyone to engage in listening together for God’s guiding voice.

I began sharing a beautiful example of clergy and lay faithful caring for Fr Roddy and his family. Yet on that same Friday, and every day, often unseen, similar beautiful acts of service are carried out across our diocese every day. Jesus served his Father and us bringing his salvation, now and for eternity. He insisted that it had already begun. As a priestly people we are called to be instruments of God’s love and mercy.  Throughout the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland let us allow the Kingdom of God to grow ever deeper.

Chrism Mass 20^th March 2024