SACRAMENTS OF HEALING Anointing of the Sick Penance

SACRAMENTS OF HEALING Anointing of the Sick Penance (Confession/Reconciliation)

Official Words "Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist) we receive the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels, " and it remains ‘hidden with Christ in God. ’

We are still in our "earthly tent" subject to suffering, illness, and death. This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin. " (Catechism of Catholic Church, # 1420)

PURPOSE OF SACRAMENTS OF HEALING: Jesus, physician of souls and bodies who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members.

More Official Words: "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against God, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which, by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion. " (Catechism, # 1422)

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick FROM SCRIPTURE: James 5: 14 -16 Is anyone among you sick? * He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, j and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. *

Video: “Anointing of the Sick”

Church Teaching “In the holy anointing of the sick with the prayer of the priest, the whole Church recommends the sick to the Lord, who suffered and has been glorified, asking Him to give them relief and salvation. The Church calls upon them to associate themselves freely with the passion and death of Christ and in this way to make their contribution to the good of God’s people. ” From Vatican 2: Constitution on the Liturgy

Symbols

Digging Deeper. . . The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is • both “a liturgical and a communal celebration. ” (In the family home, hospital or church) • members of the Body of Christ gather for the sacramental rite led by a priest. • The penitential rite followed by the Liturgy of the Word and sacramental anointing of the sick • The sacrament can inspire and comfort both those who are ill and their family and friends who are gathered (Catechism 1517 -18).

Where is it celebrated? • Can be anywhere – from sick bed to street corner • Can be communal celebrations at designated times in the church for many. These sacramental celebrations are a “source of strength amid pain and weakness, hope amid despair” and a “joyful encounter” for the entire community

What are the benefits of being anointed?

Connection to the Communion of Saints • Anointing with sacred oil is a sign of blessing by the Holy Spirit of the one who is sick. • Oil of the Sick recalls the community’s sharing of the Holy Spirit • and the sick person’s connection to the entire Body of Christ and communion of saints.

Imitation of Christ’s Compassion • Gospel Accounts: Christ’s miraculous healings • Parables: • The Good Samaritan (Lk. 10: 29 -37) - The Judgment of the Nations (Mt. 25: 31 -46) Bottom line: Christ asks followers to share his ministry of compassion and healing and to imitate his “preferential love for the sick” and all who suffer. (Catechism 1503, 1506; Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis 22).

Solidarity with All Who Suffer We care for the sick…. • because we see them as children of God and part of our human family. • When one part of the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer (1 Cor. 12: 26). • The suffering of one impacts everyone. • Thus, we are called to solidarity, which is “responsibility on the part of everyone with regard to everyone” (John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 38; Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate 38).

By our compassion. . . • We remind those who are sick that “[the Church] shares your suffering. • She takes it to the Lord, who in turn associates you with his redeeming Passion” • We are called to comfort, pray for and with, and be in solidarity with all who are sick or suffering.

Caring for those who suffer • is not a burden, but a gift. • Those who care for the sick do holy and important work; they walk with Christ’s suffering people and in doing so, serve Christ himself (Mt. 25: 31 -46). • Those who minister to the sick and who work to secure decent health care for all become “the living sign of Jesus Christ and his Church in showing love towards the sick and suffering” (Christifideles Laici 53).

Union with Christ’s Passion • Anointing of the Sick about the healing of hope and of the spirit. • The sacrament allows the person who is ill to unite more closely to Christ's Passion. • Gives suffering a new meaning: a participation in the saving work of Jesus. This is a powerful witness that is for the good of the whole Church (Catechism 1521 -22).

As the Synod of Bishops told an audience of sick and suffering persons, “We need you to teach the whole world what love is. ” (Per Concilii Semitas ad Populum Dei Nuntius 12).

A Witness to Dignity • Each person is made in the image of God • Has dignity that remains unchanged, whatever the body suffers. • A powerful witness to the fact that human dignity is intrinsic and does not increase or decrease based on a person’s physical state or abilities.

• This is why the Church works to protect the life and dignity of the person at every stage of life— the embryo, the person suffering from AIDS, the family in poverty, and the person nearing death • and why she works to secure access to decent health care for all.

Video: Sacrament of Reconciliation

THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE • Reconciled to Right Relationship, Called to Heal and Restore • AKA: • Confession • Reconciliation • Has a long history. .

Sacrament of Penance • An experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy. • Frees us from our sins and also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. • We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. "

Why is it so important? The new life in Christ that begins in Baptism may be weakened or lost through sin. Sin ruptures not only our relationship with God, but also with our brothers and sisters.

How do I prepare for this? • Make a mature examination our conscience to identify those ways in which we are not in right relationship with God and with others. • This examination also challenges us to recognize our own participation in the “structures of sin” which degrade others’ lives and dignity.

Through the sacrament of Penance, God offers mercy and forgiveness. In response to this gift, we are called to become vehicles of Christ’s love, making amends and restoring justice and the bonds that have been broken. Healed and forgiven, we are sent to work for peace, justice and love in our communities and world.

Can’t I Just Pray to God for Forgiveness when I sin? • YES. . . YES! • We SHOULD! • BUT DO WE? ? • LET’S DIG DEEPER INTO THIS. .

Sacrament of Penance is about Relationships • • • Sin damages our relationship with God and neighbor. Sin is never an individual affair. Sin becomes manifest in unjust structures. We are called to examine our consciences and admit our failings. We receive God’s forgiveness and mercy. We work to repair the harm we have done. The whole Church community plays a role in reconciliation. We are called to be forgivers and peacemakers.

Jesus Entrusted Ministry of Reconciliation to the Church • God's gift of forgiveness • An opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. • A holy moment in which we honestly acknowledge our sins, grave sins • Grants absolution—sins are now gone forever • Helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. "In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17: 28).

Top Ten List of Why Confession Is Good for the Soul It puts you straight with everyone! 1. Confidentiality guaranteed. 2. Housekeeping for the soul. 3. A balm for the desire for revenge. 4. Low cost therapy. 5. Forced time to think

6. Contribution toward world peace 7. A better neighborhood. 8. Realistic self-perception. 9. One more benefit of being Catholic. 10. Closeness to God

Four Parts to This: • Contrition: a sincere sorrow for having offended God - the most important act • Confession: confronting our sins in a profound way to God by speaking about them —aloud— to a priest. • Penance: doing something to restore the damage we’ve committed • Absolution: words of Jesus (through the priest) which reconcile us to God through the merits of the Cross.

So, but again, why the priest? In the words of Jesus to his apostles: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” John 20: 22 -23

Refreshment Break!

Video Clip: What Symbols of Reconciliation do you see?

Discussion: What Symbols of Reconciliation are Portrayed?