Thursday, September 13, 2012
315. What is the attitude of the Church toward the sick? (part 1)
(Comp
315) Having received from the Lord the charge to heal the sick, the
Church strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick and accompanying them
with her prayer of intercession. Above all, the Church possesses a sacrament
specifically intended for the benefit of the sick. This sacrament was
instituted by Christ and is attested by Saint James: “Is anyone among you sick?
Let him call in the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him and
anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14-15).
“In brief”
(CCC 1526) "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the
presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in
the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the
Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven"
(Jas 5:14-15).
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1506) Christ invites his disciples to follow him by
taking up their cross in their turn (Cf. Mt 10:38). By following him they
acquire a new outlook on illness and the sick. Jesus associates them with his
own life of poverty and service. He makes them share in his ministry of
compassion and healing: "So they went out and preached that men should
repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were
sick and healed them" (Mk 6:12-13). (CCC 1507) The risen Lord renews this
mission ("In my name… They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will
recover" Mk 16:17-18.) and confirms it through the signs that the Church
performs by invoking his name (Cf. Acts 9:34; 14:3). These signs demonstrate in
a special way that Jesus is truly "God who saves" (Cf. Mt 1:21; Acts
4:12).
On reflection
(CCC 1508) The Holy Spirit gives to some a special charism
of healing (Cf. 1 Cor 12:9, 28, 30) so as to make manifest the power of the
grace of the risen Lord. But even the most intense prayers do not always obtain
the healing of all illnesses. Thus St. Paul must learn from the Lord that "my
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,"
and that the sufferings to be endured can mean that "in my flesh I
complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his Body, that
is, the Church" (2 Cor 12:9; Col 1:24). (CCC 1509) "Heal the
sick!" (Mt 10:8). The Church has received this charge from the Lord and
strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick as well as by accompanying
them with her prayer of intercession. She believes in the life-giving presence
of Christ, the physician of souls and bodies. This presence is particularly
active through the sacraments, and in an altogether special way through the
Eucharist, the bread that gives eternal life and that St. Paul suggests is
connected with bodily health (Cf. Jn 6:54, 58; 1 Cor 11:30). [IT CONTINUES]
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