Unction of the Sick

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the liturgy module is to help the 8th graders understand the importance of living a sacramental life through the lens of individual sacraments. To show them that sacraments are not simply activities or rituals that we participate in as Coptic Orthodox Chistians, but rather they point us to a new way of looking at life and a transformed way of living.

INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

Discussion Question

  • Do you believe that there is a connection between the human soul/spirit and the human body? What do you believe that connection is like?

Lead the students to the understanding that there is a direct connection between our body and our spirit. If one is sick, the other feels it and vice versa. We should pray and aim to live healthily in both body and spirit.

Examples

  • "Or do you not know that your body is the temple Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ... Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
  • "...the body apart from the spirit is dead" (James 2:26)
  • Also if we remember the healing of the Paralytic in John 4-5, Our Lord Jesus Christ clearly identifies the connection between spirit and body when he tells the Paralyzed man, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." (John 5:14)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 20 Minutes

The unction or anointing of the sick is one of the seven sacraments of the church.

In Arabic it is called "Kandeel" which is literally translated lamp

This is because in the early church, Christians would use oil lamps that had seven threads. This is the oil they would use to anoint the sick.

Today the priest fills a plate with oil and places seven threads for lighting in the oil. For each of the seven prayers during the service, one of the threads is lit until all seven are lit.

Once the seven candles are lit and the seven prayers concluded, the priest calls the sick congregants to himself and anoints them with the Holy Oil.

Biblical Basis

Why do we perform this sacrament? The truth is it was instituted by Christ himself and carried on by his Apostles.

When sending out his Apostles Christ said:

  • "...as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers..." Matthew 10:7-8

Also in James

  • "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven" James 5:14-15

Preparation

Remembering the connection between the spirit and the body, it is of vital importance that we prepare spiritually before attending the sacrament.

The two main way to prepare are:

  1. You should fast beforehand
  2. You should repent and confess beforehand so as to enter with an absolved spirit.

Does the Church support the use of modern medicine as a cure for sickness?

Of course the church supports and encourages the use of modern medicine, however since we do understand that there is a connection between spirit and body, it is also important that a priest be called on to administer this sacramental service.

Why is it that not everyone who receives the blessing of this sacrament is miraculously and immediately healed?

Sometimes it may be God's will to allow sickness. Why?

  • To showcase his glory.
    • Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. (John 9)
  • There is redemption in suffering, if one can handle it, it will help the person grow closer to God and the Kingdom of Heaven.
    • My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:2-3)
  • In the end we must trust that God, if he allows suffering, is doing it for good. This is one of the most important principles in our relationship with God. God is good.
    • And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

RESOURCES