From the Pastor - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From the Pastor - 27 th Sunday in Ordinary Time
One of St. Paul’s favorite topics was prayer, and today’s reading from his letter to the Philippians is no exception to that. He says, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” For Paul all topics are appropriate for prayer because we need to share and consult with the Lord about everything.
God knows what is on our minds already, of course, but He also desires that we make a conscious effort to communicate with Him on these subjects. In addition, Paul points out that our prayers need to be infused with thanksgiving. We should not just petition the Lord and make requests. It is equally important that we think about, identify, and acknowledge our blessings.
We have often pointed out that stewardship is a life of gratitude, a way of living which encourages us to focus on gifts, not on problems and challenges all the time. If we strive to have grateful hearts, our prayers come much more easily, and we tend to be much happier and more upbeat in our lives.
The noted author, philosopher, journalist, and theologian G. K. Chesterton is well known in Catholic circles because he converted to Catholicism during his life, and was an excellent conveyor of the faith. In terms of living grateful lives he said, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” That includes thanks to God.
Pastoral Pondering
As we have journeyed through these past months, I have heard of various stories from around the country of patients being refused access to the sacraments due to COVID restrictions. In some places, there were designated priests that only ministered to those with the disease while others had no such recourse. In our own area, while at times visits were complicated, we were eventually able to respond to requests that were made.
From all of this experience though, one of the things that has become apparent is a lack of understanding of many regarding the importance of seeking the Anointing of the Sick. Many folks still see this sacraments as a sacrament for the dying. While an aspect of the sacrament certainly responds to the dying, the various documents from the Second Vatican Council made clear that this Sacrament was much more than a sacrament for the dying. The Church teaches that the sacrament should be sought any time there is a serious illness. As a priest I have often reminded people that because it is a sacrament for the living, it is much more fruitful to receive the sacrament when one is capable of fully participating. We of course always respond when a call comes from a care facility when someone is actively dying. Oftentimes, however, the person is already unconscious and unable to receive the sacrament of Penance and Communion as Holy Viaticum.
I would suggest that when you are diagnosed with a serious illness, e.g. some type of cancer or a treatment requiring hospitalization or general anesthesia, that you make arrangements to receive the Anointing of the Sick. In this sacrament, we pray for the healing of the recipient and entrust the person to God’s tender care. In my years of priestly ministry, I have seen both physical and spiritual healings when someone received this sacrament.
At the same time, if it becomes clear that someone will not recover and need, for example, palliative care, it is at that time that the patient should ask for and receive Holy Viaticum. This “last Communion” also involves a renewal of baptismal faith and the reception of the Apostolic pardon within the context of the sacrament of Penance.
The Church desires to journey with her children from womb to tomb. The sacraments and sacramentals are the best means to live a full life of grace. I encourage you to freely ask for these healing sacraments as soon as it becomes apparent that a serious illness is involved.