Sick
Part 2 History
Chapter 21 The Apostolic Period [0-399 CE]
Secular History |
Church History |
Ministry to the Sick and Dying |
Secular History
1. In the culture of the time oil is commonly regarded as a healing ointment.
2. In the culture of the time "healing" and "forgiveness of sins" were closely related.
Church History
1. Jesus teaches that sickness is not a punishment for sin.
2. St Paul: For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:14-20)
Ministry to the Sick
Our understanding of the Sacrament of Anointing, and our ministry to the sick is rooted in the healing ministry of Jesus. Jesus himself is the original "Sacrament of Healing."
[Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:7-13 NRSV)
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me... (Matthew 25:31-37 NRSV)
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful ? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. (James 5:13-15 NRSV)
231 CE Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus provide important information about who blessed the oil (bishop) and where (Eucharist).
ANGEL Postings
Blessing of oil by bishop
during Eucharist. Faithful would take
oil home and apply it to themselves either internally or externally
("anoint, taste, and touch") - for "strength and health." No explicit evidence
that ministers of the Church used oil for visiting the sick. Anointing with oil
for "perfect well-being" – removal of disease and sickness, casting out of
unclean spirits, and a means of grace and remission of sins. Epicletic –
invocation of Holy Spirit.
Oil associated with healing. Laying of hands by presbyters (elders). More prayer
of faith than action of oil. Written Blessing of oil for the sick. Mark 6:13.
James 5:14-15.
Precedent set by James 5:12-20 "Is anyone among your suffering? Let him call for
the elders of the church and let them pray over him anointing him with oil …….."
and Mark 6:13 "and they cast out demons, and anointed with oil many that were
sick and healed them" anointing was seen as medicinal & salvific
The passages from Mark (6:13) and James (5:13-16) provide our earliest
indications that the early church prayed over, anointed, and cared for the sick.
These and other passages indicate that praying "over the sick" was more
important than the oil. The liturgical texts of this period such as the
Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus (231), provide important information about who
blessed the oil (bishop) and where (Eucharist).
Oil had many uses. Ancients did not
distinguish between sin and sickness. Bishop blessed oil for the sick.
Olive oil given common cultural use.
Focus on the prayer of faith, not the
oil and on salvation/wholeness (mind, body, spirit).
All of the faithful were ministers.
James 5:14-15; Mark 6:13; Palestinian custom/exorcism; linking sin and sickness;
elders; 215 Hippolytus (blessing of oil; 350 Prayer Book of Serapion; perfect
well being
Origins were evidenced in the miracle heading of Jesus and in the writings of
James 5:12-20. Elders were to pray over and with anoint with oil, effecting
healing and remission of sins. Any faithful are allowed to anoint.
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© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved. This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own. Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it. This site was updated on 10/07/08 . Your comments on this site are welcome at tomrichs@psci.net.