Dear St. Philomena Parish Family,<\/p>\n
Blessings to you all and Happy Mother\u2019s Day to all of our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and other special women who help us know the love of God! In his The Training of Children<\/i>, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen wrote, \u201cThe mother to the child is the incarnation of gentleness, meekness, forgiveness, understanding\u2026The mother reveals that other attribute of Divinity\u2014which is mercy, love, and forgiveness.\u201d Of course, as we grow, Sheen notes that we experience the imperfections of one another. Still, he says, parents can be that image of justice and mercy for their children that help teach the child to seek out God. Mother\u2019s Day is always a great day to be thankful for our mother\u2019s \u201cyes\u201d to the gift of our life.\u00a0 Know of my thanks and prayers for all of our mothers!<\/p>\n
As we continue our reflections on Anointing of the Sick, this week we focus on the fruits and effects of the Sacrament. As our Catechism<\/i> teaches, the Sacrament brings us \u201ca particular gift of the Holy Spirit\u201d that is \u201cone of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age\u201d (CCC<\/i>, 1520). This gift helps grow trust in God and protects against temptations in the midst of suffering. Continuing, \u201cThis assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God\u2019s will. Furthermore, \u2018if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven\u2019.\u201d This passage highlights for us that the grace is primarily focused on interior healing. However, there are times when a physical healing is also granted. We entrust this to God\u2019s wisdom and understand that the gift of a physical healing is for a purpose. We especially strive to trust God\u2019s wisdom when the physical healing isn\u2019t received.<\/p>\n
The next fruit of this Sacrament of Healing is \u201cunion with the passion of Christ.\u201d As St. John Paul II and others taught, suffering is a unique opportunity to be joined in union with the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. United with our Savior, our suffering can take on meaning and greater fruitfulness. (CCC<\/i>, 1521). One thing that is hard to remember in the midst of suffering is that, united with Christ, it can become a powerful source of grace and blessing. It is hard when we are suffering to think outwardly in that way, but our suffering can provide the means to unite with Jesus that we don\u2019t find anywhere else in our lives. Many saints have shared how they have drawn closer to Jesus through their trials.<\/p>\n
Along these lines, in this Sacrament we receive \u201can ecclesial grace\u2026by celebrating this sacrament the Church, in the communion of saints, intercedes for the benefit of the sick person, and he, for his part\u2026contributes to the sanctification of the Church and to the good of all men\u2026\u201d (CCC<\/i>, 1522). So not only is there fruit from uniting with Jesus, we also experience a deeper unity with the Body of Christ, the Church. This unity is fruitful in both directions\u2014our faithful suffering can strengthen the Body of Christ and we can receive true help from our community of faith\u2014both in prayer and in service. In our parish, we pray for the sick regularly, both at Masses and through our parish prayer chain.<\/p>\n
A final and very significant fruit for those who are near death, Anointing provides \u201ca preparation for the final journey\u2026The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it. It completes the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life: that of Baptism which sealed the new life in us, and that of Confirmation which strengthened us for the combat of this life. This last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father\u2019s house\u201d (CCC<\/i>, 1523).<\/p>\n
For those at the last moments of life (and are able to receive), the Church offers the Eucharist as viaticum\u2014a word that means \u201cfood for the journey.\u201d This gift of Communion recalls the promises of Jesus that \u201cWhoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day\u201d (John 6:54). As a special gift to those who are dying, priests also have the ability to pray what is called the Apostolic Pardon. This powerful prayer which grants an indulgence, has been updated in the latest Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of Their Pastoral Care<\/i>. There are two options for what the priest can say: \u201cBy the authority given to me by the Apostolic See, I grant you a plenary indulgence and remission of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 Amen.\u201d Or \u201cThrough the sacred mysteries of human redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments of the present life and of the life to come; may he open to you the gates of paradise, and lead you to everlasting joys. Amen.\u201d These prayers remind us once again of the wonderful saving action of the Cross of Jesus\u2014and that He always wishes to give us what we need, whether it is strength and healing through life or preparation and readiness for eternal life.<\/p>\n
As we are now just a couple of weeks away from Deacon Blake\u2019s ordination<\/a> to the priesthood, next week we shift to look at Holy Orders. Know of my prayers and blessing for you all this week!<\/p>\n In Christ,
\nFather Luke<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"