Fasting and the use of oil

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I tried searching first, but I gave up… Here’s my question: The Christ told us when (not if…) we fast, to “put oil on [our] head”, but what exactly is meant by this? I ask because the oil is a sacramental, but where is this type of oil obtained, is it as mandatory as it plainly looks, and what is the prescribed method of use? Is there a specific oil? I mean, I can put it on by sprinkle or dabbing or by the bucket. To me, a layman (I love my name, haa!), this is “anointing”, but is the RCC definition of anointing different than a dictionary’s (ex. Fasting)? After rereading what I wrote, this seems to be a splitting of hairs… Perhaps this is a prime example of one of my numerous faults in my method of thinking…

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.—Matthew 6:16-18, NIV
 
When Jesus said this about anointing our heads with oil, he was addressing the people of his time in the terms of his time - what it meant was, “do all the normal things that people ordinarily do to look presentable - as in, do not do things that show off to others that you are fasting, because it’s something that should be seen and known about only by God.”

When nations became Christian/Catholic, and fasting became the law of the Church, obviously everybody is going to know when you are fasting - especially with the ashes on the head, etc., on Ash Weds. But this applies to personal, private fasting that is done optionally.

Jesus did not mean that people today need to put oil on their heads, as I am sure the Church would explain to us. But we should comb our hair, dress properly, etc. - not look like we are visibly suffering in order to show off that we are fasting.

However, there is a sacramental the Church has called Blessed Oil. It is plain olive oil that you bring to a priest to be blessed. You can reverently eat this, or anoint yourself or your kids with it, or make the sign of the cross over the door of your house asking God’s blessing and protection, etc. etc., as long as it’s understood that it is holy because it has been blessed by God through the Church’s intercession. The older version of the Roman Ritual has a specific (and intense!) blessing and exorcism for it, actually. In the newer Book of Blessings, there is a blessing just for various foods that could be used for it.
 
Layman_F said:
I tried searching first, but I gave up… Here’s my question: The Christ told us when (not if…) we fast, to “put oil on [our] head”, but what exactly is meant by this? I ask because the oil is a sacramental, but where is this type of oil obtained, is it as mandatory as it plainly looks, and what is the prescribed method of use? Is there a specific oil? I mean, I can put it on by sprinkle or dabbing or by the bucket. To me, a layman (I love my name, haa!), this is “anointing”, but is the RCC definition of anointing different than a dictionary’s (ex. Fasting)? After rereading what I wrote, this seems to be a splitting of hairs… Perhaps this is a prime example of one of my numerous faults in my method of thinking…

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.—Matthew 6:16-18, NIV
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Don’t overthink the requirements here… the point that Christ was making is that you should not make your penances, such as fasting, a public ordeal for which you seek to earn the approval of other men. If you do this, Christ warns, you have already earned your reward. The take away is that when we fast we should act as we usually do… our penances are to be between us and God.

As to what the oil is, perfumes and colognes are a relatively modern invention, and actually use “essenses” which are oils in their making. In the times of Christ, people would have worn scented oils (just as people wear scented colognes/perfumes today)… though they would have done this to mask the smell of humanity (which is quite powerful when not bathed!). So what Christ is saying is “if you wear scented oils and clean yourself, do not LOOK ragged or go without those daily routines just because you are fasting”.
 
Layman_F said:
I tried searching first, but I gave up… Here’s my question: The Christ told us when (not if…) we fast, to “put oil on [our] head”, but what exactly is meant by this? I ask because the oil is a sacramental, but where is this type of oil obtained, is it as mandatory as it plainly looks, and what is the prescribed method of use? Is there a specific oil? I mean, I can put it on by sprinkle or dabbing or by the bucket. To me, a layman (I love my name, haa!), this is “anointing”, but is the RCC definition of anointing different than a dictionary’s (ex. Fasting)? After rereading what I wrote, this seems to be a splitting of hairs… Perhaps this is a prime example of one of my numerous faults in my method of thinking…

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.—Matthew 6:16-18, NIV
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Translation to modern english: Dude, don’t skip your morning shower, then say you’re trying to be austere and fast.
 
Layman_F said:
I tried searching first, but I gave up… Here’s my question: The Christ told us when (not if…) we fast, to “put oil on [our] head”, but what exactly is meant by this? I ask because the oil is a sacramental, but where is this type of oil obtained, is it as mandatory as it plainly looks, and what is the prescribed method of use? Is there a specific oil? I mean, I can put it on by sprinkle or dabbing or by the bucket. To me, a layman (I love my name, haa!), this is “anointing”, but is the RCC definition of anointing different than a dictionary’s (ex. Fasting)? After rereading what I wrote, this seems to be a splitting of hairs… Perhaps this is a prime example of one of my numerous faults in my method of thinking…

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.—Matthew 6:16-18, NIV
Click to expand...
Great answers above. Let me address something else.

I see you are “discerning”. As you can see from your example, when anyone takes sections of scripture there is always the possibility for mis-interpretation of what it is trying to tell us. This is why Christ left us a living Church and Magisterium and why Catholics put Tradition and Scripture on equal footing.

As you have questions please come back here and ask. God bless you on your journey.
 
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