“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 highly debated). 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 now is 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 even mentioned at all in the Lutheran Confessions. Of courser, Lutherans do not officially number the Sacraments or dogmatically declare what is or is not a “Sacrament.” Lutherans have rites for administration to the sick and some of these involve anointing with oil, but typically they involve prayers, Scriptures, absolution (forgiveness) and often is joined with 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 New Testament times, 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.
Soli Pax Christi
- Josiah
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