Anointing of the Sick

Text Box: Sick should be anointedBecause this matter is rather heavy you may want to go slow, asking the Holy Spirit to be with you.

Prayer and thoughts for aching bodies and hearts

“O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you. Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily.” Psalm 102, 2-3

Any kind of suffering can be a challenge to one’s peace of mind. Heavy and prolonged suffering can raise deeper questions of “why?” When will this end? How long can I endure this?

The writing of Paul may not be of much comfort when he says:

“We do not lose heart because our inner being is renewed each day, even though our body is being destroyed at the same time. The present burden of our trial is light enough, and earns for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. We do not fix our gaze on what is seen but on what is unseen. What is seen is transitory; what is not seen lasts forever.” 2 Cor. 4, 16-18

It may be of some consolation to remember “that all of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

2 Cor 3, 17-18

And one more comment from Paul:

“But we hold this treasure [the life of God in us] in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power my be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” 2 Cor 4, 7-11

For a moment try to relax with your suffering, pain, sorrow, whatever is really hurting you.

You may want to tell the Lord that you don’t like this particular suffering and that you wished it were different. And you tell him why this is so hard for you at this time of your life. But you end by saying: not my will but your will be done in me. And the Spirit reminds you that this is what Jesus said at the beginning of his agony in the garden experience. You sense Jesus knows how you feel.

It may be difficult to “visualize” your condition of suffering; maybe you feel alone; maybe you feel singled out; maybe you feel the journey is long and your energy is weak; maybe you feel you don’t have much control of anything; maybe you feel very little comfort and support from family members; maybe you feel so weary.

And you find it difficult to pray.

Does this picture help you to see how important attitude is; the way we look at life, or suffering in life, a life that has some loneliness, some fading beauty, some physical impairment, maybe very little comfort and support, and feeling old?

A lot depends how you look at what is before, behind, around and in your life.

“I hold you in the palm of my hand. In my sight you are precious and honored and loved by me; don’t be afraid. I am with you, says the Lord God.” Isaiah

If the above picture didn’t bring any consolation in prayer then get in your boat

and drift out into the middle of the lake in the scene below.

Before the sun goes down pray Psalm 23:

The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

A morning offering prayer is still a good way to begin the day. “O Jesus, through Mary, I offer you this day.”