“Anointing of the Sick”
Read James 5:14-15. Most religions have well defined rites administered to the dying. In Christianity, this evolved into certain prayers and often accompanied by the anointing of oil (the reason for the oil is unknown). In the East, this is called “Euchelaion” (oil prayers) and became associated as much with the sick as with the dying. In the West, this became known as “Last Rites” (in the 12th Century, it was renamed “Extreme Unction” and in 1972 renamed “Anointing of the Sick”). In Catholicism, it is no longer associated strongly with death but, more in line with the East, with sickness (including emotional or mental sickness). It was declared a Sacrament in both the Orthodox and Catholic churches (it also exists in Mormonism, where it is also regarded as a Sacrament).
Luther and the Lutheran Fathers had very little to say about this, and it’s not mentioned at all in the Lutheran Confessions. Lutheranism does not officially number the Sacraments but nowhere did any of the Lutheran Church Fathers call this a "Sacrament." Nor deny it as such.
Lutherans have had rites for administration to the sick and typically they involve prayers, Scriptures, absolution (forgiveness) and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The LCMS website has this to say: “The Lutheran church does not have an official position on anointing with oil in connection for prayers for healing. Some commentators note that oil was used in a medicinal way in the ancient world, which may explain its use at that time (cf. James 5:14) in contrast to today, when other forms of "medicine" are used (also by Christians, together with prayer). Other commentators believe that the oil spoken of in James 5:14 may have had some symbolic significance (e.g., oil as a symbol of the healing power of God the Holy Spirit). Clearly, no miraculous power is ascribed to the oil as such, and there is nothing in this passage to suggest that this rite described by James is intended to be regarded as a "means of grace" like the sacraments instituted by Christ. The use of oil today in connection with prayers for healing, therefore, is essentially a matter of Christian freedom and personal/pastoral judgment and discretion.” The important thing is the caring, loving support of the sick and dying – offering God’s comfort, strength, hope and forgiveness. We need to “be there” for them.
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