Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
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 1528.
The Catechism mentions twice “sickness” and “old age” in connection with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. In particular, these two situations, sickness and old age are highlighted in connection with the opportune time to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick as proximate causes of death.
Christ the Lord instituted His sacraments to give us the grace we need to be the saints He calls us to be. While the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is not only for the dying, it is a source of consolation for those who are dying. What greater comfort could a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ have than to be “fortified” or strengthened by the sacraments.
Not all sicknesses end in death. Just because someone is old enough to join the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) does not necessarily mean that death is immanent. Sometimes, however, death does result from serious illness. The older we get the closer we are to death. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick gives us the graces we need to face death in the here and now. We know by faith that death is not the end of our lives. Good Friday is not the end of the Gospel. We believe in the resurrection of Christ and we look forward to our own resurrection on the last day. We know the soul continues on after death and proceeds to the judgment seat of Christ. How pleased He will be to see our souls gleaming with the fresh glow of His grace given in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. We need not be afraid of death, especially when we are in a state of grace. We should always be ready for death. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick when it does not cure us, at least gives us the grace to be ready for death.
There are further rites which while not a part of the sacrament often accompany the Anointing, namely the Apostolic Pardon and the Commendation of the Dying. The priest is only able to pray these prayers when the sick or elderly person is in extremis (at the extremity [of life, that is dying]). A plenary indulgence is attached to the Apostolic Pardon which reminds me of the “get out of jail free” card made famous by the Monopoly board game. Jesus Christ has actually paid the price of our redemption and His grace is applied to us in our moment of need in the sacraments. The “Commendation of the Dying” gives the dying person “permission” to go see God who has made us and redeemed us and dwells in us by His grace.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr