Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Anointing the Sick- Sacrament of Healing

Mark 6:7-13

They cast out many demons and were anointed with oil many of who were sick and cured them. Mark 6:13

The Association of American Medical Colleges expects a shortage of up to 124,000 doctors in the next 12 years. The amount of doctors being trained has not kept pace with the population growth. In the meantime, the training of paramedical professionals such as physician assistants is being encouraged. Doctors are still medical professionals with deep expertise and training but they work closely with these other health professionals in our healthcare system.
When Jesus sent out the disciples to proclaim the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God, he delegated them with power and authority. As the Son of God, he authorized them with the power of God to proclaim the need to repent and to be healed of the chains of bondage to the kingdom of Satan. We read here a curious use of oil for healing. Oils for healing rites in the ancient world are well known. The disciples were given instructions by Jesus and were given oils for this purpose. The oil was not a healing potion. Rather, it is a sign of the promised healing, the healing that occurred, and the hope of healing. The Mystery of Divine Healing is that the root of diseases and our real need is actually spiritual healing. Jesus delegated the disciples to proclaim the Good News and show to those who would listen that true healing begins with the inner spiritual person. The oil is a sign from the Great Physician himself. The disciples became the hands and the feet that would proclaim the good news of the healing of body and spirit. 
Among the Sacraments of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church is the Anointing with the Holy Oil. Suffering and death for the Christian are not things to be feared. They are realities of a world marred by sin. But through Christ’s victorious sacrifice, we perceive the new creation in Christ and the reality of the Kingdom of God which can’t be overcome by death. This Sacrament proclaims the new life in Christ and the activity of God’s healing presence symbolized by the Holy Oil. The core of these sacramental rites is always the prayers and petitions to God. The responses of God are beyond our comprehension. Just as Christ sent the disciples to proclaim and heal, we too are called to carry the message of hope, the call to repentance, submission to God’s plan, and pray for the healing of those suffering. Just as physician assistants help provide healthcare alongside doctors, we also have to proclaim the Word and provide healing of body and spirit to those around us.

Prayer
Gracious God and Divine Healer, we thank you for the hope and healing you have given us through your Son Jesus Christ. Lord, having received this gift, teach us to proclaim your Good News and be healing hands to those suffering in body, mind, and spirit. Amen.
 
Rev. Jeswin John
Vicar, St. John’s MTC Michigan

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more