READING: Letter of St. James 5, 14-15: "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, 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."
MEDITATION: Dear Lord, it is hard for me to face the fact of death. Yet the anointing does not mean that I am about to die. So, it is really a comfort. I may be seriously ill, but not necessarily about to die at this time. However, it is good for me to think of death. After all, I do need to prepare for that inevitable event. There are some who say we are dying from the time we are born, so I do have to face the fact that I am getting closer to the time of my death as each moment passes. That is indeed a very sobering thought. So, the anointing is really preparing me, even though I may not die at this time. The oil does symbolize strength. What a comfort to know that you are with me, Lord. I remember the words of St. Paul: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8, 31) All too well do I know that it is the devil who is against me. However, he cannot harm me, for you are with me! How that thought calms my anxieties! I need have no fear, for You are with me. Lord, that sounds like You are my security blanket, and indeed You are. Always be my security blanket, protecting me even from the power of the devil and, above all, from my own weakness.
PRAYER: O, LORD, HOW GENEROUS YOU WERE TO GIVE US SUCH A SACRAMENT. AT A TIME WHEN WE HUMANS FEEL WEAK AND DOWN, HERE YOU ARE SUPPORTING US. LORD, ALWAYS FILL MY SOUL WITH CONFIDENCE IN YOU AND HELP ME TO BE AWARE OF YOUR PRESENSE IN MY SOUL. AMEN.
HOME CELEBRATION: Use a dying flower, leaf, plant, to explain the purpose of life and that all life comes to an end. Offer a prayer for a holy and happy death. Pray for a recently deceased relative or friend. Tell the history of the death of a saint. v.g. St. Thomas More, St. Francis Xavier, St. Joan of Arc, St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Introduction
Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Confirmation
Sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Sacrament of Marriage
Blessing
