Anointing of the Sick
"Where does the Bible talk about anointing the sick?"
The Short Answer
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament for those seriously ill or facing surgery, giving spiritual strength, peace, and sometimes physical healing. It's not just 'last rites'—it can be received multiple times and offers comfort at any serious illness.
Quick Overview
When you're really sick, you need more than medicine—you need spiritual strength. The Anointing of the Sick is Jesus' care for you when you're suffering. A priest comes, prays over you, and anoints you with blessed oil. It brings peace, forgiveness, and often healing. James 5:14 tells us to do exactly this.
Biblical Evidence
What the Scriptures say
"Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man."
Why This Matters
James commands that sick people call the 'priests of the church' for prayer and anointing. This is exactly what Catholics do.
What the Church Teaches
Official Catholic doctrine
This sacrament gives the grace of the Holy Spirit for healing—spiritual and sometimes physical (CCC 1520). It unites the sick person to Christ's passion and prepares them for the final journey (CCC 1523).
Common Objections
Questions answered
Early Church Fathers
What the first Christians believed
Pope Innocent I
c. 416 AD
"This passage should be taken to refer to the faithful who are sick, who may be anointed with the holy oil of chrism... It is a kind of sacrament."
— Letter to Decentius
Origen
c. 244 AD
"The priests anoint the sick, praying over them, and the Lord raises them up."
— Homilies on Leviticus
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