| When Jesus set about his healing ministry, he prayed, | | | | Church lost sight of anointing for healing? Here are a |
| laid-on hands and apparently anointed those who | | | | few of the reasons: |
| were sick. The scriptures don't really state that he | | | | 1. Anointing eventually was given to the priesthood |
| personally anointed the sick, however he sent his | | | | only (women were the principal healers by virtue of |
| disciples out to heal and anoint all those who were | | | | their ability to care for their families. However, they |
| sick-and they were not using their cooking oils for | | | | were excluded from this church function) |
| this anointing. So if anointing with oils like | | | | 2. After a few centuries, essential oils were primarily |
| frankincense, myrrh, balsam, cedarwood and | | | | used in a public way to anoint penitents for the |
| spikenard was so important to Jesus' healing ministry, | | | | forgiveness of sin (This required a donation to the |
| why did they stop doing it? | | | | church) |
| For the first few decades every Christian could | | | | 3. Anointing gradually was just for the seriously ill who |
| anoint with blessed oil for healing of body and soul. | | | | were about to die (last rites) |
| These oils would be blessed at their gatherings by | | | | 4. Anointing became "symbolic" for the inner anointing |
| the chief elder at the same time as the bread and | | | | of the Holy Spirit |
| wine were blessed. People would then take the oils | | | | 5. To receive this final anointing, one had to make a |
| home to use with their families that week. It is wise | | | | hefty donation to the church |
| to remember that these oils were also considered | | | | 6. The oil used by the church was no longer a |
| medicines and were used for all kinds of diseases. So | | | | "healing oil" but a carrier oil like olive with some |
| the first use of anointing in the Christian church for | | | | fragrance-usually balsam added to it. (Thus it really |
| primarily for healing the sick. They even sent blessed | | | | was symbolic in nature!) |
| phials of oils to friends and relatives for their healing | | | | 7. Reformers threw anointing out as only "play-acting" |
| who lived at a distance. Some of the early women | | | | To learn more about this fascinating story of how |
| healers set up the first hospitals for the sick where | | | | the Christian Church moved so far from the |
| they used essential oils for healing and comfort. Only | | | | teachings of Jesus, I invite you to investigate a |
| gradually did anointing become part of the rituals for | | | | program that aims to restore this form of healing in |
| baptism, confirming one in the faith, for forgiveness | | | | our Christian life. How can we learn today the ancient |
| of sin, and to anoint the hands of those called to be | | | | art of healing with aromatic essential oils? Educational |
| deacons, deaconesses and later priests and bishops. | | | | courses that are Christian-based can help us reclaim |
| What are some of the reasons why the Christian | | | | our rightful role in healing and anointing. |