Anointing of the Sick shows God’s promise to be with us through every danger

“In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin” (Sirach 7:40). The Scriptures and teachings of Holy Church exhort the faithful to remember the shortness of this life, and to prepare ourselves for the next. The Knights of Columbus chose as their fraternal motto, “Tempus Fugit; Memento Mori” (“Time Flies; Remember Death”). Many saints kept bones or skulls near as a visual reminder that everything in this world, ourselves included, quickly fades away. This brings a healthy perspective to the true values of life.

Try as we may to steel our hearts in readiness for the passage of death, the journey still frightens us. But, as always, the Lord has compassion on our frailty. His care and concern, as we’ve seen in previous New Earth articles, extends into our lives at the most important moments. He doesn’t leave us to experience suffering and death without the aid of his grace. The sacrament he leaves for us in these difficult moments is the Anointing of the Sick, previously called Extreme Unction.

We see the sacrament in the Scriptures: “Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests 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 man: and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15). St. Mark tells us that when Jesus first sent out the disciples on a training mission, they “…cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:13). Jesus also uses the image of anointing in describing the Good Samaritan’s healing remedy for the man beaten by robbers (Luke 10:34).

Clearly, those in the ancient world, and many even today, believed that oil possessed a natural healing quality. By making this anointing a Sacrament, Jesus infuses the natural qualities of oil with a supernatural power. Once again, he transforms the material world so it becomes a conduit of grace. The healing power of oil is a physical sign, easily recognized. As a Sacrament, Jesus gives it a new meaning and a new power.

So, what does the Sacrament of Anointing do for us? The first effect of the sacrament is the forgiveness of sin. As oil heals the body, so does this holy oil heal the soul wounded by sin. Mortal sin must be eradicated by Baptism or Reconciliation, but Anointing of the Sick forgives venial sins that make us lethargic towards God. In the case when one is anointed while unconscious, a mortal sin may be forgiven, provided the sick person had contrition for the sin when they lost consciousness.

Death causes fear for many reasons. To a person of faith, the remembrance of all the sins committed may add to an already powerful fear of death. A person may imagine their looming judgment, and cower in fear knowing their unworthiness. The Sacrament of Anointing provides a rush of grace, to comfort the soul and bring it strength and courage in the battle.

Another effect of the Sacrament of Anointing stems from the need of spiritual protection when nearing death. It stands to reason that Satan and his minions would throw their full force against the soul nearing death to try to capture it at the last moment. The Sacrament of Anointing bolsters the soul against the snares and whiles of the enemy so that it may joyfully and confidently look forward to a life with God. I would encourage our readers to read the poem The Dream of Gerontius, St. John Henry Newman’s reflection on the spiritual realities surrounding the soul’s last moments on earth and passage into eternity. It may be found online.

One may ask the questions: who may receive the sacrament and when? The Church offers this sacrament to any of the baptized above the age of reason who have come into danger of death due to sickness or old age. One doesn’t have to be on the point of death to receive it but only in grave danger. In fact, it is best to call the priest as early as possible in a grave illness, to ensure a conscious participation on the part of the ill person (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 1515). A gravely ill person may also receive Viaticum, or the last Holy Communion, and the Apostolic Pardon, a plenary indulgence granted at the moment of death.

How comforting to know that the Lord desires to be at our side in every danger, even at the end of life. Let us pray for the grace of a happy death and that we would have the opportunity to receive his aid through the Last Sacraments.