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Of course, none of this is really new. It is the discovery of old practices. For thousands of years oils have been important in both the religious and the secular world for all kinds of different things. Today, the Church still uses oil in the celebration of the Sacraments.
One of those sacraments is the Sacrament of the Sick, in which there are three important facets: the prayer of faith, the laying on of hands and anointing with the Oil of the Sick. The churches use of oil in this sacrament is used to soothe and comfort the sick, to restore the tired and weak. After laying his hands on the head of the sick person, the priest anoints the forehead and hands. 'Through this holy anointing,' he says, 'may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.' He then continues, 'May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.' What was that about living forever?
Who is it for?
Many people think (quite wrongly) that to indulge in the sacrament of the Sick they have to be on their death bed! Anyone can request the laying on of hands and anointing with holy oil. People are anointed in sickness, before an operation, at a time of crisis. It is celebrated in church, at home, in a hospital ward, indoors, outdoors: in fact, anywhere where Christ's healing presence is sought, where the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit is called upon. At St Saviour's Church, the Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated regularly once a month on the first Thursday of each month during the 7.00 pm Mass, as well as on other occasions.
The prayer for healing is many and varied: as varied as the needs of each sick person. And the healing received is as varied, too. For some, the healing presence of Jesus will bring strength and faith, it will help them to fight against the debilitating effects of their illness. And there is always the prayer, too, for a full healing from the illness itself, for a full recovery, always and everywhere giving thanks to God for raising us up and giving us a glimpse of the love that he lavishes upon us.
The Prayer of Faith
In the letter of St James, we read: 'If anyone among you is sick, call for the elders, and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person.' (James 5:14-15) Yes, we gather in faith, and we gather in a spirit of prayer, commending the sick to God, surrounding them with hope and confidence in the saving love of God in Christ.
Laying on of Hands
Through the laying on of hands we feel the touch of Christ, the Healer. The gospels contain a number of instances when Jesus healed people by laying hands on them or even simply by touching people or being touched by him. 'They brought the sick with various diseases to him,' we read in the gospel according to Luke, 'and he laid hands on every one of them and healed them.' The Laying on of hands is also a physical gesture that the person is the subject of the prayers of the people, as well as being a sign of blessing. It is also an invocation--a calling for the Holy Spirit to come upon the sick person: to comfort and strengthen, console and heal.
Anointing
In the sacrament of Anointing on the forehead and palms (and, if appropriate, the affected part of the body) we receive a sign of healing, strengthening and the presence of the Holy Spirit. At a time when people are searching for healing and wholeness in all kinds of 'alternative' ways it would do us well to remember the sacraments of the church: for when we celebrate the sacraments we receive the healing touch of the Lord, who alone brings peace and the promise of his Spirit. What other alternative is there?!
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