Here is my outline from last year when I presented, “Suffering, Anointing of the Sick, Christian Death, and Funeral Rites.”
Christian view of Suffering and Illness
Suffering is not always punishment as a result of sinfulness .
Suffering can also be a test or for our good
St. Paul says in Col 1:24
Suffering is much wider than just sickness, a distinction between physical and moral or Spiritual suffering
The Scripture is a great book about suffering, Job, suffering of the innocent
2 Mac 6:12 A call to repentance and conversion, to strengthen relationships, especially with God
1 Pet 3:14-17
Pastoral Care of The Sick
A responsibility of the Christian community. 1 Cor12:26
We support the sick and suffering by visiting them and praying with and for them.
Christ was concerned primarily with those who were sick and suffering. The eight beatitudes were addressed to people in various kinds of suffering conditions.
The sick and aged should be encouraged to look to Christ in His suffering and to unite their suffering to His and become “sharers in the suffering of Christ” 2 Cor 1:7 Lk 9:23
The Good Samaritan.
Holy Communion
Frequent reception of Holy Communion especially in connection with the Sunday Eucharistic celebration
Reconciliation
Priests who have the responsibility to care for the sick should make themselves available.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Blessing of the Oil
Decree
The Catholic Church teaches that this is one of the seven Sacraments instituted by Christ.
Mark 6:13
James 5:14-15
Apostolic Constitution
Not a Sacrament only for those at the point of death.
May be repeated
Only a priest may confer this Sacrament
Only conferred on the living, even though they may be unconscious
Elements of the Sacrament : Prayers, Laying on of Hands, Anointing with oil
Euthanasia
There is a tendency to value life only when it brings pleasure and well-being. Suffering seems like an unbearable setback, something that the person must be freed from at all costs. EV64
Euthanasia denies a fundamental relationship with God as the giver and taker of life.
It must be distinguished from the foregoing of excessive medical treatment.
Use of painkillers that may have the effect of shorting life.
Advanced Directives
All persons should consider what their intentions would be and write them down and consider designating a medical surrogate.
**Continuous Rite “Last Rites” **
Reconciliation
Viaticum
John 6:54
All Baptized Christians are bound to receive viaticum
If possible Mass should be celebrated at the bedside of the dying person
Anointing of the Sick
Proper subjects
826
*** Confirmation**
In danger of death Canon Law gives the ability to any priest
Catholic view of Death
The soul survives and subsists separate from the body which undergoes gradual decomposition,
Gn 3:19
Because of Christ’s work of Salvation, man exists on earth with the hope of eternal life and holiness.
EV37- “The life which the Son of God came to give human beings cannot be reduced to mere existence in time.” The life in Christ given to us in Baptism cannot be limited to the time spent here on earth.
A passage from this life to the next, a transition not an end
Continued
