tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post6414634553303919284..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Sacrament of the Sick...Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-85641312911760188972012-06-26T22:32:41.605-05:002012-06-26T22:32:41.605-05:00Messiah = Christ = Anointed One
Christians = adhe...Messiah = Christ = Anointed One<br /><br />Christians = adherents and/or slaves of the Anointed One<br /><br />Christians = Anointers<br /><br />Anoint = apply ointment, unguent, salve, mirrh, scented olive oil<br /><br />Pieper lists anointing as a custom of Baptism, a mitteldinge, not to be be changed arbitrarily but by churhces in concert.<br /><br />The most vivid anointing in my mind is David's by Samuel, by which the kingship was reassigned to a young shepherd.<br /><br />I get it that anointing with sweet smelling oils was very important to the peoples living in the Biblical lands, but personally I don't get it.<br /><br />I understand putting neatsfoot oil on a new baseball glove and I most often will rub fine olive oil on a chicken before I put it into the crock pot. But, I don't get the religious sensation, or romantic, or exotic, or whatever about rubing oil on people. If I get oil on my face, I get a distinct urge to wash it off, right away. In my worldview, oil on my forehead is sticky and yucky.<br /><br />But, I come from a culture bred in humidity. When the dry winter cold fronts push all the way to the gulf, I get nose bleeds and sinus headaches from the dry air. Mostly putting oil on makes us hotter and damp.<br /><br />Now, I have no problem with water and washing as in Baptism, but you don't smear with dirt before you wash off the baby. You take a perfectly clean baby and you ritually wash the sin off and out of them. Washing is an action I get, I can feel the need for it. Wash me and make me clean. But, smear oil on me and make me queen, nah, I can't feel that.<br /><br />And when was Jesus actually smeared with oil to make him the new king and by whom? He is the Anointed one, so where's the big story about his anointing? Am I just forgetting it. Was he annointed at His presentation or baptism? <br /><br />When and by whom was the Anointed One anointed? <br /><br />It comes to mind now that some years ago my North Carolina cousins, the ones with the goats, got me into coconut oil. I loved putting just plain coconut oil in my bath. It was wonderful, and not particularily oily afterwards.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09777514643611989502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-80087233628660083142012-06-26T06:30:09.928-05:002012-06-26T06:30:09.928-05:00As an LCMS pastor, I have used anointing of the si...As an LCMS pastor, I have used anointing of the sick unto death in the context of the rite for the Commendation of the Dying. I connect the anointing with Holy Baptism, reminding the soul, and loved ones present, of the promise made, kept, and soon to be fulfilled, through Holy Baptism into Christ. I remind them that they have been sealed unto Christ and that He will never leave them or forsake them and that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus. It has proven to be extremely comforting to both the dying and the family. Additionally, the use of scented oil leaves a lingering odor, along with the palpable oil upon the forehead, as a lingering reminder of God's grace and mercy. Indeed, the combination of Word, touch, and smell involved in anointing impacts the totality of a person, a soul.<br /><br />I have also used anointing on occasion with the rite of Visiting the Sick and the Distressed, but, in practice, I have reserved anointing for those who were dying or at great risk of death.Fr. Jon M. Ellingworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05309773504409139312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-54195246433418024672012-06-25T08:54:29.603-05:002012-06-25T08:54:29.603-05:00I have had non-Lutheran friends look askance at me...I have had non-Lutheran friends look askance at me when I tell them of the anointing of the sick in our church. True, many evangelicals either practice aointing now, or are considering it. Somehow, there is a disconnect between a sacramental anointing and their non-sacramental one. Just another manifestation of Romaphobia?<br /><br />As for anointing the dying/last rites it must be part of the evangelical illness. They are consumed with this life. Dying is something about which they never think.<br /><br />I hope the Savior will allow me presence of mind when I lie dying. I hope to be aware enough to make a final confession, receive the body and blood of our Lord, and the anointing.Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.com