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Daily Feed AnointingOne of the sacraments of healing is the sacrament of anointing of the sick. Before Vatican II, this sacrament used to be termed as extreme unction, and was associated with those nearing death. The new term of the sacrament gives a broader context to its meaning - making it to mean a sacrament of healing and not only in terms of giving to the sick already in the verge of death.Together with the sacrament of confession or reconciliation, the anointing of the sick is a sacrament of healing that helps those who are sick with the strength from Christ to endure his illness and to lead him to healing and wholeness. The new teaching of Vatican II has reformed the ritual of the sacrament and includes now a communitarian dimension of the sacrament.A brief introduction Sickness and illness has always been both a human problem and part of the mystery of life that has been with man since his birth. Though God has given man the gift of intelligence to create the science of medicine, there is really a limit to this knowledge and ultimately, doctors and scientists will reach a point where they will still be faced with the mystery of the sickness itself and the life that God has given the sick person. Christ, the healer The gospels teach us that Christ's ministry on earth can be categorized into three basic activities: teaching, preaching, and healing. It is in his ministry of healing that he is most popular among the people of his time. He even gave signs that he is the Resurrection and the Life - healing people from the reality of sin aand death. The popular stories of Jesus restoring people who died from illness continues to astound and amaze us today as they are interpreted in books and movies. Were you able to see the movie where Christ resurrected Lazarus from death? The production of the scenes related to this gospel story was made so magnificently that one would really be led to faith, that Christ is indeed the God of Life - Him being the Resurrection. Christ healing the sick who died by bringing them back to life again were the most dramatic of his works of healing. However, he also had simple everyday works of healing that he performed among the people. These had a profound influence on the people who witnessed them. The healing of the blind, the healing of the lame, the crippled, the mute, the deaf, those who had hemorrhages, withered hands, leprosy, and so many more who suffered physically were miraculously healed by Christ. It was faith in Christ that healed them. Also, the reaction and response of those who were healed was always an ever greater increase of faith in Christ and a desire to follow him. It is this ministry of Christ to the sick which the Church continues through the sacrament of anointing of the sick. The sacrament of anointing The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The Anointing of the Sick 'is not a sacrament for those who only are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived." [CCC #1514] "If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced. [CCC #1515] The minister of the sacrament The minister of the sacrament is a priest. The priest can also administer the sacrament in the context of a Eucharistic celebration. Some missionary priests and other priests who have the special vocation for healing, hold masses in different parts of their country or even in other countries, and then give the sacrament of anointing within the Mass. Often, they do this during the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a feast in honor of the Blessed Mother and for those who need healing from sickness. The sick share in the suffering of Christ Though the sick may feel ostracized by a society that values productivity, they need not be, because their dignity is rooted in their sharing in the suffering of Christ who suffered for the sake of man's salvation. By the ailment of those who are sick, they are called to sanctify the world with their prayers and the suffering they endure from their illness. Let us remember that it is not only in health that the faithful can serve God but even in the state of illness. The sacrament of the sick is given to those who are ill so that they may remember that Christ is with them in their suffering and that Christ desires that they may be healed of their illness to give glory to God and to the Church. |