Illness is one thing to which all of us can relate. Who of us has never been sick? Whether it is from a cold or the flu, or even something much more serious, everyone can empathize with being sick.
In today’s first reading we hear that God wanted the priests in the line of Aaron to be responsible for the care of those with leprosy. As we know, many diseases are contagious, and for the people of the ancient world there were few ways for controlling the spread of disease. Epidemics often wiped out whole towns. The most effect means for controlling the spread of disease was isolation and separation. The infected person was banished from the community, and often forced to wear distinctive cloths or to make some kind of noise to warn people to stay away. Of course this was not done out of meanness, but rather to protect society. One of the most frightening, and deadly of diseases that often threatened the ancient world was leprosy. It was so very contagious, and seeing body parts literally being eaten away was just horrifying. The only thing that could be done in most cases was to send the inflicted to live in caves with others with the disease. This meant that the sick not only had to suffer the symptoms of their illness, but they were also cut off from their loved ones.
The injunction to Aaron, and the priests of his line, which we hear in today’s first reading was actually a step in a positive direction, for it recognized that not all skin diseases were the same. Some were harmless, and the real danger was sending the person to the leper colony where they would likely catch the deadly disease. The priests of the ancient world were not trained just in theology, but where specialists who learned to tell the difference between various ailments so as to tell which ones were dangerous to the community, and which were not. In today’s Gospel we see that Jesus respected the traditions of His people. After healing the man with leprosy, He told him to go see the priest and make the appropriate sacrifice to God to thank God for being healed. It would be through the priest that the man would be welcomed back into the community.
There is a theological dimension to physical illness, which God’s faithful people have often struggled to try to understand. We hear in today’s Psalm the common view of sickness in the ancient world, that illness was a punishment from God for one’s sins. It is easy for us to want to dismiss this view and say that there is no connection illness and sin, however this is not true. While God does not punish us for our sins by inflicting on us some disease, our sins have caused a lack of God’s grace in the world that has resulted in a disordering of creation. Disease is certainly part this disordering of creation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church presents a brief overview of the theology of human illness in #1499-1532. The CCC, #1500, teaches us, “Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death.” The Catechism goes on to say that there are two fundamental ways to respond to illness and suffering; it can either lead to despair, self-absorption, anguish and revolt against God, or it can lead a person to greater maturity as they discern what is truly important in their life, and searching for an even deeper relationship with God. Of course the best response to human illness is to unite one’s suffering with the suffering of Christ Jesus on the Cross, for it is through His suffering on the Cross that the really serious disorder, namely sin and death, are conquered.
Probably the least understood sacrament is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Too many people still think of it as “last rites,” and more than once I have walked into a hospital room to administer this sacrament and a look of panic crosses the person’s face. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is intended to strengthen a person who is being tried by illness (CCC #1511). “The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil - pressed from olives or from other plants - saying, only once: ‘Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.’” (Sacram unctionem infirmorum, 1972).
The Catechism describes a number of effects that this sacrament has on the sick person. “The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age. This grace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, who renews trust and faith in God and strengthens against the temptations of the evil one, the temptation to discouragement and anguish in the face of death. This assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God’s will” (CCC #1520). The sacrament also absolves a person of their sins, however, if the person is conscious they should go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation either before, or as part of the celebration of the Anointing. Another effect is to unite the sick person with the passion of Christ. “Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus” (CCC #1521). The sacrament also is an ecclesial grace, contributing to the sanctification of the Church, if the sick person freely unites themselves to the passion of Jesus for the good of the Church. Lastly, while the sacrament is not necessarily just for those who are dying, if the person is dying the sacrament provides a preparation for our final journey.
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived” (Sacrosanctum Concilium #73). Any person who is going into the hospital for surgery really should try to arrange with a priest to be anointed prior to going into the hospital. To celebrate this sacrament with one’s family and friends can be very beautiful, and is a sign that the sick person is still very much part of the Church.
“I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation” (Psalm 32).
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