The readings today remind us that like the Apostles and Prophets, Priests have received a special calling and have been sent into the world to preach the Word of God.

In the first reading the prophet Amos was called by God to leave his home in the Southern Kingdom of Juda and preach to the people in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It was a time of prosperity, and the rich were getting richer, but the poor were getting poorer.  In fact, the poor were being exploited by the wealthy and there was great social injustice. Amos is called to preach against this and call the people to conversion. They must return once again to the faith of their fathers and concern for justice. They had already received many warnings, which they hadn’t heeded. In today’s passage, Amos had an altercation with Amaziah, the priest at the Sanctuary in Bethel. Amaziah was party to the social injustices, which Amos was exposing. So, he had no interest in the message of the prophet and tried to drive him away. Amos would soon after die of head injuries.

In the second reading St Paul reminds us that we are all called to holiness. However, the Church teaches that the clergy are called to a greater degree of sanctity than the average Catholic. Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, Priests become instruments of Jesus, to whom each Priest offers his entire being. This is in order, to bring the graces of Redemption to all. Each Priest has great dignity because he acts in Persona Christi, that is, the very Person of Christ. This is clear in the Consecration of bread in wine in the Mass: 

This is my Body, this is my Blood…. . It is also clear in Confession: I absolve you……. 

Jesus works in a very special way through the Priest. In Ordination to the Holy Priesthood, each Priest is ontologically changed forever. That is, he receives a special spiritual character, which cannot be repeated. He is given a new personality for the service of God and souls. A Priest is a Priest forever! 

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus provides the Biblical basis for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. He sent the Apostles out on a mission in pairs to preach the need for repentance, to cast out demons and Anoint the Sick with oil, for their healing.

With the Incarnation of the Word, God seems no longer to be far away as in the Old Testament. With Redemption Jesus remains with us as the cornerstone of the Church. He is present in the Word and Sacraments. The Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven Sacraments. Jesus clearly showed that He Willed for the Church to continue to help those who are sick. The Lord began this work during His public ministry and taught the Apostles to carry on this work of mercy. The Letter of St James 5:14-15 talks about this Sacrament. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: The Sacred Anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper Sacrament of the New Testament (CCC 1511).  The healing of the sick is a sign of the coming of the Kingdom of God. There are five effects of the Anointing of the Sick.

1. It unites us to Christ’s Passion.

2. It strengthens us to endure suffering.

3. It forgives sin.

4. It restores our health if it is conducive for our salvation.

5. It prepares us to enter eternal life.

When I was in stationed at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth many years ago, I was involved in ministering to the sick at Royal Perth Hospital and the Mount Hospital. I saw some wonderful effects of the Anointing of the Sick. There is one case that remains vividly in my memory. I remember the case of a young man, who I believe was diagnosed with a brain tumour and doctors didn’t hold out much hope for his survival. His family asked me to visit him and administer the Sacrament of Anointing. After hearing his Confession and administering the Sacrament of the Sick, I was amazed to see him less that a week later in the grounds of St Mary’s Cathedral. He had come from the brink of death to wholeness, through the infinite mercy of the Lord. It was a miraculous healing! This young man’s healing was obviously conducive for his salvation. There are countless other stories from Priests who have witnessed similar healings,  as the direct result of people receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Other recipients of the Sacrament who may not receive a physical healing, experience inner peace to cope with their cross. This was the case with my elderly father. He experienced great comfort and peace from the Sacrament to cope with his illness before his death.

All the Sacraments are encounters with Jesus, the Son of the Living God. However, we need more young men to respond generously and accept their calling to be Priests. It is a wonderful vocation, for which I thank God every day. But the faithful need to please pray for more good vocations and for the sanctification of Priests. St Catherine of Siena encourages us to also to show reverence and respect for Priests. She referred to each Priest as an  Alter Christus (another Christ). Jesus established a hierarchical Church, rather than a democratic one and there is a great need also for holy and courageous Bishops who will speak out boldly against the many errors of today which attack life, marriage, family and the common good. This will give the people courage in living a truly spiritual and Christ-centred life. 

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!