The Bible presents various symbols of the Holy Spirit, each depicting different attributes of its nature or aspects of its work. Today’s symbol is “OIL.”

The Bible presents various symbols of the Holy Spirit, each depicting different attributes of its nature or aspects of its work. Today’s symbol is “OIL.”

Oil is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s approval, anointing, and power: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18; see also Acts 10:38; 1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 61:1). Biblical scenes of Israel’s kings and priests being anointed with oil are pictures of God’s choice and blessing. The New Testament uses the anointing with oil as a picture of the blessing of the Holy Spirit on all believers: “You have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth” (1 John 2:20). The term Christ, from the Greek word Christos, means, “The Anointed One.”

Fr. John