The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
by Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv.
As a Church, we are blessed to be able to encounter the presence and saving action of Jesus through our celebration of the sacraments. Our God is a personal God, who seeks to be present to us each day and who enters into our lives at special times and at significant moments.
The love of man and wife is consecrated and made holy in the Sacrament of Marriage as the Lord shares His covenant love with them. When a married couple celebrates the gift of a child, our God enters into their lives in a special way through the gift of baptism as the Lord embraces that child in love, makes that child a new creation by water and the Holy Spirit and fills that child with the gift of His presence, making the child His own. In the Eucharist, the Lord feeds us and strengthens us on our faith journey and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He heals us of our sins and restores us to His grace. Each sacrament meets a specific need and celebrates a particular moment in our lives.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is an encounter with the Lord at a particular time in our lives: when we face the mystery of sickness, illness, and suffering. In this sacrament, we encounter Jesus the healer, the consoler, and the redeemer. Admittedly, this sacrament has evolved over time in its ritual and theology. Some still see it as the “last rites” to be received only when death draws near, missing its fuller meaning and its power to heal and console us in the midst of our suffering and struggle with illness. Others may have so generalized this sacrament that it is seen as a kind of “blessing” or even as “preventative medicine.” Both extremes miss the mark and seriously compromise the true significance of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
We are blessed to have two sacraments of healing: the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance or Confession). Although the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick does forgive the sin and brings spiritual healing to a person who is facing physical illness, chronic psychological/emotional illness or the weakness of old age, the Sacrament of Reconciliation remains our first recourse for spiritual illness whether we are facing the reality of sin, temptation, spiritual malaise, or scrupulosity.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is meant to address the mystery of suffering in our lives whether that be chronic physical, emotional, or psychological conditions. Also, those anticipating serious surgery are encouraged to receive the sacrament. When presenting ourselves for this sacrament it is understood that we are presenting a real and present illness or disorder for the Lord’s healing and consolation.
Some confusion, with regard to the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, may exist as a result of anointing services celebrated by those involved in the Charismatic movement of the Catholic Church. At times, they will sponsor a “healing service” where blessed oil is used and those who present themselves are prayed over. This “anointing” is not the Sacrament of the Sick. In this case, anyone can present him/herself to be prayed over, even non-Catholics.
When celebrating our quarterly Masses for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, we ask that everyone respect the Sacrament for what it is. Although you may not have a need to receive the sacrament, your presence and prayerful support is certainly welcome. A communal celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a wonderful sign of the Church as it gathers together in prayer on behalf of those in need of God’s healing power.
|