Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are seven (7) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church which can help us to appreciate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The following is a reflection on CCC 1532.
Each of the sacraments impart specific graces. Five special graces or “side effects” of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick are highlighted in the Catechism for our consideration.
A first grace imparted by the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick unites the sick person to the Passion of Christ, for personal benefit and the good of the whole Church. While our aches and pains are ours we are able to endure them by God’s grace not only for our own good but for that of the entire Mystical Body of Christ which is the Church. It is far better for us to suffer in the here and now than for all eternity. The Anointing allows us to be united with Christ and His Church.
A second grace imparted by the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick gives comfort, peace and the courage to bear like a Christian the sufferings of sickness or old age. To receive comfort from the Anointing presupposes the first grace, namely union with Christ and His Church. What greater comfort might we receive than to be one with Christ? The peace received from the Anointing may well stem from ‘being right with God.’ What have we to fear if we are one with Christ, Crucified and glorified? The courage imparted by the Anointing allows us to face the difficulties of sickness and old age as true followers of Christ. The holy martyrs have all lived these graces of comfort, peace and courage.
A third grace imparted by the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick gives the pardon or forgiveness of sins not already obtained in the Sacrament of Penance. The ‘Continuous Rite’ of this sacrament actually includes the confession of sins and absolution. If, however, the sick person is unconscious and thereby unable to confess, the merciful graces of God are made available. If we are able to confess our sins we should confess them so that the graces of this sacrament may be rather directed to the alleviation of any temporal punishments due to our sins.
A fourth grace imparted by the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick occurs when for the spiritual well-being and salvation of the sick person, health may be reestablished. While not everyone who is anointed receives a physiological cure, sometimes, for the good of our redemption the Good God allows a cure that reparations may be made before breathing one’s last.
Finally, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick prepares the sick person to pass from this life to life everlasting in Heaven. Confidence should be high for those who die, fortified with the grace of the sacraments. Pray for the grace of a happy death.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr