In the last year or so, my church has embraced the sacrament of anointing for healing purposes.
This practice is derived from James 5:14. Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
I am still getting used to this.
This tradition wasn't practiced in the Independent Christian Church where I grew up.
Well, except for once that I know of.
I don't remember the circumstances, but some adventuresome soul read the Bible and asked for the elders of the church to come and anoint him (her?) with oil for healing. To their credit, although I am sure it put them way out of their comfort zone, these lovely men agreed to do it. That's really all I remember about that situation other than a phone call or two about whether the occasion called for suits and ties, or would sports coats suffice? What does one wear to an anointing, after all?
In fact, the whole concept, for me, conjured up images of early Christians draped in tunics and robes. People of the first century who actually believed that a simple drop of oil given and received in the name of God, caused some mystical, sacred and loving healing from the God of the universe and the Lord of all creation.
And it's interesting. Once a month, at the end of both services, people are invited to come to the front for anointing.
And we come.
We come for ourselves. We are broken in body or spirit or soul.
We come for a loved one who needs healing.
We come seeking wholeness, strength, comfort and guidance.
We come believing.
Believing that a simple drop of oil given and received in the name of God, causes some mystical, sacred and loving healing from the God of the universe and the Lord of all creation.
