The Sacraments of Healing
Reconciliation
The sacrament of reconciliation or as it was previously called; the sacrament of Penance is “a sacrament of liberation”(Haring, 1980 p.5). It gives Christians the opportunity to be freed from sin. It is “a sacrament for healing hurt memories and restoring healthy relationships”(Haring, 1980 p.5). It is a personal experience whereby one gets the opportunity for their sins to be forgiven. “It is a sacrament of ongoing conversion, of coming closer to god and restoring the unity of his family”(Haring,1980 p.5). This is interpreted through reading of Scripture, reminding us of God’s mercy, and it is supposed to
be a time of shared conversation and prayer between the priest and the
penitent. The priest takes an oath in which he is bound to inviolable secrecy (Haring 1980).
Unless the penitent gives the permission to the priest to tell someone then it
is the only release from the obligation of secrecy. The main purpose of
confession is to reflect where you went wrong.
Anointing of the sick
The anointing of the sick is the final sacrament within the sacrament of healing. This sacrament reflects on Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus healed people through the spoken word and the laying on of hands. As well as commissioning his disciples to go out and heal the sick (Lawrence 2007, p.6) This sacrament was seen as a sacrament for only the dying. However, the doors have been opened to reserving this sacrament for anyone who may need it. “The sacrament is no longer called Extreme Unction or Last Rites, because it is intended for all of those who are seriously ill or weakened by age, not just for the dying”(Lawrence 2007, p.7). This sacrament does not promise actual physical healing but gods help in a time of need. This is a powerful example of how the sacraments can be expressed as “sacraments of faith” as even though the results are not to be seen physically, the sacrament will still bring results mentally to the person (Lawrence, 2007)
This sacrament can be celebrated as we have just learned in several contexts but as well several places. It can be celebrated at home, in a church or even a hospital. There are three simple steps in anointing the sick. They are the praying of faith, the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil (Lawrence, 2007). The community of faith gather round the sick person for the celebration of this sacrament. It is the “prayer of faith” that St. James says will “save the sick person” (James 5:15). “Oil was also used for treating wounds, healing the sick, and preparing the dead for burial”(Lawrence 2007, p.8).
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This sacrament can be celebrated as we have just learned in several contexts but as well several places. It can be celebrated at home, in a church or even a hospital. There are three simple steps in anointing the sick. They are the praying of faith, the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil (Lawrence, 2007). The community of faith gather round the sick person for the celebration of this sacrament. It is the “prayer of faith” that St. James says will “save the sick person” (James 5:15). “Oil was also used for treating wounds, healing the sick, and preparing the dead for burial”(Lawrence 2007, p.8).
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