The Sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick has, at its biblical basis, the words of the Apostle James in his letter:  Is there anyone among you who is sick?  He should summon the priests of the church, and the priests should pray over him and annoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.  If he has committed any sins, his sins will be forgiven (5:14-15).

The Sacrament is a powerful reminder of God's care for His people.  God cares deeply for the well-being of each and every on of His sons and daughters.  The primary focus of the sacrament, however, is spiritual,  not physical, healing.  Even if a person is healed physically death is still  going to come one day.  None of us can prevent that eventuality.  Jesus the Divine Physician came to heal us from the ultimate disease - eternal separation from the God who created us.  And that is ultimately what the Sacrament of Annointing is about.

Fr Bob