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What really is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? The Catechism of the Catholic Church writes: # 1499 "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ."
Illness is never easily taken – everybody hates not being “up to snuff.” So we suffer. There are all different kinds of suffering: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Each suffering can bring about a suffering that one would like to “throw in the towel.” Others become self absorbed, some despair and some even revolt against God Himself. In the Old Testament people did know that God was the author of life and death – and of illness. Isaiah 38:12-14 “My dwelling, like a shepherd's tent, is struck down and borne away from me; You have folded up my life, like a weaver who severs the last thread. Day and night you give me over to torment; I cry out until the dawn. Like a lion he breaks all my bones; day and night you give me over to torment. Like a swallow I utter shrill cries; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak, gazing heavenward: O Lord, I am in straits; be my surety!” God was the one who smote you – and He was the one who could heal again – see Exodus 15:26 "If you really listen to the voice of the LORD, your God," he told them, "and do what is right in his eyes: if you heed his commandments and keep all his precepts, I will not afflict you with any of the diseases with which I afflicted the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer." And as life goes on – there will be a time in the future, when God will pardon every offense and heal every illness. Isaiah 33:24 writes “No one who dwells there will say, "I am sick"; the people who live there will be forgiven their guilt.” And that is the point where Christ comes in; He came and what happened was that “God had visited His People” (Lk 7:16). Christ not only healed people, He also forgave them their sins (i.e.: Mk 2:5-12). And this is the real reason He came – to be with sinners and take away their sins: “healthy people do not need a physician, but sick people do” (Mk 2:17). What Christ did then, was to take the illnesses and diseases and bore them Himself (Mt 8:17; Isa 53:4). He did not stop there - once He climbed the cross, He took upon himself the whole weight of evil and took away the "sin of the world," of which illness is only a consequence (Jn 1:29; Isa 53:4-6). We are now being associated with Him through a bond that is thicker than blood - an unbreakable bond – BAPTISM. Christ invites His disciples to follow him by taking up their cross in their turn (Mt 10:38). In this way He makes us share in His ministry of compassion and healing. But Christ does know that this suffering can get too intense, too painful, too much; so He proposes to give us some assistance. He comes to us directly through the Sacrament of Anointing and draws us into a closer bond of love with Him, so that we are being carried by Him – at least for a while. St. James writes "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders [presbyters] of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." (Jas 5:14-15). This is a powerful Sacrament – it can do miracles. Under ordinary circumstances, the Sacrament of Confession precedes the anointing – so that we can meet our Lord free from sin and be ready to embrace Him when He comes. In case that a person is unconscious, this Sacrament has also the power to take away sins. It used to be called “Extreme Unction” – but it is not so much a Sacrament for the dying, rather than for the living. It is a Sacrament of Healing. Short recap: Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation Sacraments of Healing - Confession and Anointing Sacraments of Service - Marriage and Holy Orders
What does this Sacrament do? The CCC writes under # 1520 “The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age. This grace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, who renews trust and faith in God and strengthens against the temptations of the evil one, the temptation to discouragement and anguish in the face of death. This assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God's will. Furthermore, "if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." Since Suffering is a consequence of Original Sin, it
acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus.
Those who freely uniting themselves to the passion and death of Christ
contribute to the good of the People of God – they contribute to the
sanctification of the Church by bearing patiently the sufferings that their
Father in heaven has laid upon their shoulder! At times there is a healing associated with it – instantaneous, or more often a slower process of healing. It is not so much the physical healing that is the result; rather it is a healing of the soul, which was wounded at one point or another. At times it is also a healing of others as we bear patiently our cross with Christ. Suffering is not what God wants for us – but the healing that comes from our oneness with Christ. Christ shares His sufferings with us and we learn to draw closer to Him in the stillness of our illness. Suffering brings out “the best” in us! So when we come to the point in our life where we are no longer able to carry our cross alone – please do call upon a priest and ask for the Sacrament of Anointing. Also before a surgery – please call a priest in advance – not in the last minute. Also: soldiers who are coming back from the war and experience PTSD – let the priest come and start the healing of the memory, mind and soul through Confession and this noble Sacrament of Anointing. You have laid your life on the line for our country; let now the country stand behind you – and let God come with His healing touch! |
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