SACRAMENTS OF HEALING

SACRAMENTS OF HEALING

Reconciliation n Supporting Bible story: The Prodigal Son n What it celebrates: Forgiveness n Meaning: Healing of broken relationships with God, yourself, and others

n Primary words and symbols: n Confession of sins n Words of absolution n Laying on of hands n Ongoing effect: Liberation from sin

Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction) n Supporting Bible story: Woman anointing Jesus right after he entered Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) n What it celebrates: God s healing love n Meaning: Living the fullness of life in Christ even in sickness and death

n Primary words and symbols: n Laying on of hands n Anointing with oil n Words of petition n Ongoing effect: n Strength n Peace n Courage to endure

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION n The word reconciliation literally means coming back together. It involves the restoring of relationships that have been broken or wounded. It is the result of the process of conversion. It is the new life that we experience when we are freed from what has held us back from loving fully.

n Every time we come to our senses about an attitude or a pattern of behavior we have been engaging in that is hurting our relationship with God, with others or with ourselves, we begin a conversion of heart. God s loving forgiveness is always present, always offered; but to experience God s forgiveness, we must make a turnaround, acknowledging that we have sinned and want to change.

n To get in touch with where we need both forgiveness and renewal, we can periodically make an examination of conscience a review of recent personal events using a series of questions about how well we have responded to God s call to love. This process prepares one for the sacrament of reconciliation. n Sin: The condition of being alienated from: 1. God 2. Others 3. Yourself

There are two general types of sin: n A. MORTAL SIN: Breaks your relationship with God n B. VENIAL SIN: Harms your relationship with God

For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must apply: 1. It has to be serious (ex. Breaking a commandment) 2. The person must know that the action they are committing is wrong 3. The person must do it out of their own free will

n We all have our dark side weakness that causes us to do things that we know we should not be doing. We have stories that we can barely acknowledge to ourselves let alone share with other people so we conceal our hurts and faults. n All of us then are in need of healing. We often seek healing through some kind of story-telling.

n Usually we choose to tell our stories to people we trust, like best friends. A best friend is usually someone who knows our whole story our dark side as well as our bright side. In the sacrament of reconciliation, the sharing of our stories, weaknesses and wounds are ritualized in a process known as confession.

n In order to make a confession, a person must first of all honestly face the sin that is within him or her. Only then can a person share his/ her story of weakness with a priest who represents both God and community. n Another name for the sacrament of reconciliation is penance. It is a word derived from the same roots as repent which means to be sorry. Penance refers to a conversion of heart, a turnaround. Such a conversion is shown externally in changed behaviour which indicates the sincerity of the changed heart.

n That is why as a part of the sacrament, the priest advises the person in confession (the penitent) to take some action that indicates genuine repentance. Usually, this act may include one of three forms: 1. Prayers 2. Deeds of kindness (ex. Giving to the poor) 3. Sacrifices (ex. Fasting)

THE SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK n The sacrament of anointing offers a sort of spiritual antidote to the damaging effects of illness. Pain, suffering, and coming face-to-face with one s mortality can greatly undermine a person s sense of well-being, especially one s spirit. Anointing is a statement by the whole Christian community that God s gracious and unconditional love does not leave us in times of suffering, illness, or even death. Christian faith asserts that in the midst of suffering and despair, there is always hope to be found in Jesus.

n The meaning of the sacrament is that God is offering the anointed person the grace to overcome anxiety and despair, to find comfort in an uncomfortable situation. To be healed and whole even if their body is diseased or broken. Martos, Doors to the Sacred, pg. 339

n Physical illnesses have a damaging effect on our mind, body, and soul. Likewise, emotional difficulties (such as stress, depression, and anxiety) can have a negative effect on our physical health. n The sacrament of anointing acknowledges and celebrates the wholeness of the human person, and in doing so recognizes the need to address the person s physical and spiritual well-being. Even though this sacrament does not attend directly to the physical ailment, the primary emphasis of this sacrament is to bring spiritual strength and healing to sick and dying people.

n Even Jesus knew the importance of recognizing every human being as a whole person. He would often cure the ill and heal their soul at the same time. n Ex. Jesus healed lepers and the community because he showed everybody else that they should be helping the lepers instead of isolating them.

n The messages of Jesus healing actions are quite clear. Jesus healed because he felt compassion for hurting people. He wanted to show people firsthand the power and depth of God s compassion. n Ex. After Jesus found out that Lazarus had died and he recognized the suffering he had gone through, he wept.

The Personal and Social Sides of Sickness and Healing n When the Christian community brings God s compassion and love to its members who are in pain or near death, the community is acting as an instrument of God s healing grace much like God worked through Jesus in order to touch people s lives.

n Because human beings are social creatures who live in community, an illness can never really be completely personal (ex. Alcoholism). Similarly, people who are ill rarely find healing by isolating themselves from others research actually supports this idea. Some examples of ways in which we as a community can help those who are ill: n Bring gifts n Make them laugh by telling jokes n Bring food n Show movies n Spend time with them n Listening

The Christian Community as Wounded Healers n The sacrament of anointing celebrates and affirms the fact that experiences of suffering and healing are linked to the service of others. n To understand this connection, listen to the story and write what you think this story is trying to say to us.

n People who have been through challenging experiences are sometimes the best ones to help another through an illness (mental, physical, emotional, or otherwise). n Although experiences of sickness and suffering are not good, they can be healing if they lead to compassion to others.

n Jesus himself suffered much physical, emotional, and mental pain when he was put to death by means of crucifixion. However, Jesus story does not end with his passion and death. He does resurrect on the third day. n Although Jesus resurrection did not eliminate suffering and death from human experience, it did make clear that they are not the end of life but steps into a new life. n This is a powerful and hopeful message for all who participate in the anointing of the sick. Jesus challenges us to transform our own suffering into opportunities of healing for ourselves and others.

Different Rites for Different Circumstances n The sacrament of anointing may not only be offered to dying person, but it may also be offered to people in various circumstances. 1. Offered to the whole faith community: The sacrament can be celebrated by the whole faith community either as part of the mass or part of a special healing service.

2. Offered to non-terminally ill-persons: Can be celebrated by individuals who are seriously but not terminally ill (ex. Major surgery that is serious but not life threatening). 3. Offered to dying person: Those who are terminally ill or close to death can receive the sacrament. This usually happens apart from the mass.

Major Elements Associated with Anointing of the Sick 1. Penitential Component: Seeks to restore unity with others, yourself, and God. The sacrament of reconciliation is offered within the sacrament of anointing in order to heal broken relationships. 2. Anointing with Oil on the Forehead and Hands: Preparation of mind (thoughts) and physical strength (hands) so they can endure the suffering that is to come. 3. Prayers and Readings from Scripture: Prayers of commendation are recited as they help to focus the mind and heart on the healing action of Jesus in their lives.

4. Laying on of Hands and Receiving Holy Communion: Family and friends are invited to lay their hands on the ill person and this shows that healing occurs in the context of a caring community. The ill person also receives Holy Communion (called viaticum or farewell meal ) in order to help them realize that Jesus will accompany them on their journey to the afterlife.