The Easter Triduum begins today with the Chrism Mass in each cathedral. Asia News has an article about the Mass at the Vatican, with the Pope's Chrism Mass homily, blessing of the oils, and priests' renewal of their ordination vows. He spoke about the theology of baptism and the role of a priest.
Full translations of that homily are available from the Vatican and from Teresa Benedetta at Papa Ratzinger Forum.
Here is an excerpt from the Pope's homily from Teresa Benedetta's translation:
"This theology of Baptism returns in a new way and with new insistence in priestly ordination. As in Baptism, there is an 'exchange of garments', a change of life, a new existential communion with Christ. In the priesthood, one undergoes a change: in administering the sacraments, the priest acts and speaks in persona Christi.
"In the sacred mysteries, the priest does not represent himself, he does not speak to express himself, he speaks for the Other - for Christ. So the Sacraments make dramatically visible what being a priest means, in general: what we expressed by our "Adsum" - I am here, I am ready - during our priestly consecration: I am here so you may dispose of me.
"We make ourselves available to Him who "died for everyone, so that those who live no longer live for themselves" (2 Cor 5,15). To put ourselves at the disposition of Christ means we allow ourselves to be drawn into His 'for everyone' - being with Him, we can truly be 'for everyone'."
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