Anointing of the Sick

May 2, 2010

Anointing of the Sick
Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. James 5:14-15

Healing in the early Church was aimed at the restoration of the sick person to complete health of mind, body and spirit. As a sacrament, the Anointing of the Sick was the means by which the ill, elderly and the dying encountered God. This epistle of James became the first model for the healing activity of the early Church.

You will note that James asks “Is anyone among you sick? He does not ask “Is anyone among you dying?” There is no evidence that the early Church believed that the sacrament was only for those preparing for death… the graces of the sacrament were to be bestowed among those who were in need of healing. Thomas Aquinas, in 1274, in Summa Theologica, stated that the sacrament was only to be administered to those preparing to die. The sacrament became popularly known as “Last Rites.” This was to last until the Vatican II reforms. The Vatican II Council sought to restore the sacrament to its original purpose, to that of healing. Unfortunately, even after 40+ years, many of the faithful still hold to the Anointing of the Sick as being the sacrament of dying. Many families and ill persons wait until the last minute to request an anointing, sometimes it is too late.

Don’t wait! The graces received from an anointing are truly powerful! Anointing can bring comfort, strength and peace to those who are awaiting serious surgery or are ill, as from cancer, HIV, or other such illness. I received an anointing shortly after a diagnosis of cancer in 2007. The sacrament brought me the strength to face cancer surgery and treatment. I knew that God was with me, giving me peace ad strength when I had none. The graces I received are still with me today.

Let us lift up those who are ill in prayer. Let us pray that they will not wait to receive an anointing. Let us pray for God to bring them strength and healing. This week let us remember how fragile life is and not wait until too late to allow God into our hearts. –God Bless, Holly Clark

Source and Recommended reading:Understanding Sacramental Healing, John Kasza