Stuff is really important to Catholics — bread, wine, water, oil, incense, medals, crucifix, etc.; and physical gestures as well — processions, laying on of hands, colors of the seasons, blessings. This all flows from a profound respect for the mystery of the Incarnation. Jesus chose to share a human life which means that the stuff of human existence has a divine significance. Over time in the history of the Church seven of these outward signs have been recognized as “the sacraments” — particular occasions for God’s grace. The epistle of St. James describes the origin of one such sacrament: the anointing of the sick. “Are there any sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church and the priest will pray over them and anoint them… and the prayer of faith will save the sick.”
MAY212016
By Church Staff
