For the 11th Sunday after Trinity

152. What is the anointing of the sick?

Through prayer and anointing with oil, the minister invokes God’s blessing upon those suffering in body, mind, or spirit. (1 Kings 17:17– 24; Psalm 107:17–22; Matthew 8:14–17; 10:5–8; Acts 28:8; James 5:15–16)

153. What grace does God give in the anointing of the sick?

God gives healing, strength, and peace, either for recovery from injury or illness, or for perseverance in adversity, especially in preparation for death. (Psalms 103:2–5; 119:49–56; Isaiah 49:13; Matthew 8:5–13; 2 Corinthians 1:3–7; 12:7–10)

This week we take a look at two questions, that together paint a beautiful picture of the definition of sacramental elements from St. Augustine: An Outward and Visible Sign of an Inward and Spiritual Grace.

Oil. It is used throughout the old testament, in a variety of contexts: from mixing with flour to make cakes to pouring oil on the heads of priests and kings to mark them as appointed to the office. The Hebrew word Messiah, which in Greek is translated Cristos, where we get our English Christ, means the anointed one. Christ is THE anointed one, THE chosen one.

But our sense here is more medicinal in nature. Oil was used extensively in the ancient world as a medium for medications, in a very similar manner to our creams and ointments. But the medication here is prayer. Sometimes the illness, the sickness is a direct result of sin. But many times, it is a reminder of our frailty. We need a Saviour, we cannot save ourselves from death, the natural processes of this world, nor damnation which is the spiritual decay. We are dying every single day, we draw closer to death with each breath and heartbeat. We are indeed pitiful and in need of God’s Grace, at every moment whether we are actively aware of it or not.

In the words of the Collect this week “O God, who declares thine almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

James 5: 14-16 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The oil, in and of itself, is nothing. The oil that is prepared is infused with prayer, the prayers of the saints for the sick and the dying. The oil is placed on the forehead of the ill or dying, a tangible reminder of the prayers that were said over the oil as it was prepared and the prayers said as it was applied. “My strength” says the Lord “is perfected in weakness.”

Christ, who is the anointed one uses the anointing of oil to work his grace and healing. Which is really He himself, the author and perfecter of our Faith. He is the balm for our sufferings.