Church: A Place Where Mystery Happens - #12

I want to comment on the other two oils that we reverently display at St. Malachy: sacred chrism and the oil used to anoint the sick.

The sacred chrism is used after baptism, at ordinations, and at the consecration of altars. Why do we use chrism in our baptismal rites? Let me answer that contextually and imaginatively. Newly baptized people are given a common name. We are called Christians, that is, we belong to the Christ, God's anointed one. We have put on Christ. We have met him in the waters in a profoundly personal way. We manifest him to the gathered church and reflect his love. The water bath has brought us fully into the household of the church. Washed and saved, we come forward to receive the sacred chrism. The chrism is poured over the head - after all, God is lavish and dispenses gifts generously. The baptismal bath is sealed and the aroma of this wonderfully scented oil pervades the place. Just as the church raises up hands and sweet-smelling incense in the liturgy of evening prayer, so also the church raises up sweet-smelling, new born Christians and offers them to God and to us. The newly baptized are literally the aroma of Christ! (I'm willing to bet that perfumed oil was used in late antiquity for very practical reasons. People of old did not take a daily shower. Perfumed oil, judiciously used, probably fulfilled and olfactory, cosmetic, and spiritual purpose. Anyhow, your get the point, eh!?) After the anointing, we are clothed in splendid, bright garments and presented with a lighted candle. Then all are ushered into the great hall where all will eat and drink at the great banquet, the Eucharist of Jesus Christ. Chrism is a marvelous part of the ensemble of awe-inspiring rites of Christian initiation.

We also have great solicitude for members of the church who are sick. We pray for them in the prayer of the faithful on Sunday. Priests, deacons, and lay ministers visit them, pray with them, and offer them communion. And, when it is fitting, we anoint people who are sick with this blessed oil. Those who are seriously ill, who face surgery, who are suffering from chronic physical or psychological illness may ask to receive this sacramental oil. It is very fitting to do this at the parish church on a particular Sunday. Those who are homebound can feel cut off from the life of the parish. They often miss the prayer, music, and fellowship of Sunday morning. Having them come to church can really boost their spirit and can help us to be tender ministers. After hands are laid upon the head of those who are sick, a powerful gesture done in silence, the priest goes to each of the sick and anoints their forehead with oil. Then he anoints the palms of their hands with oil, too. The prayer that accompanies the anointing asks God to forgive, to save, and to raise the sick up. The oil is meant to be blessed balm, a blessed assurance for the sick. The priest brings this holy oil to the sick in their homes and in hospitals. This oil is intended for the living. It is not used for the dead. Anointing the sick is no longer last rites. Prayer and viaticum, eucharistic food for the final journey, make up the last rites.