Rite of Annointing of the Sick. Scripture readings illuminate meaning of suffering

The lectionary for the Roman Catholic Rite for the Anointing of the Sick provides insight into the nature and theology of illness which can be helpful not only for the person who is ill but also for the community that serves that person and for people involved in medical or pastoral care of the sick. The readings address two major questions: Why is there suffering? What is the purpose of chronic illness and of sickness unto death? Responses to these questions involve perception of illness as part of the mystery of iniquity (although there is no simple cause-and-effect relationship between particular sins and a person's illness) and understanding of God's power over sickness. The sick person's configuration to the suffering Christ also plays a part in this mystery. The paradoxical mystery of illness, which cannot be understood outside the context of faith, is reflected in the richly nuanced readings. To avoid a simplistic or incomprehensible approach to the problem, pastoral sensitivity to the sick person's spiritual, physical, and emotional condition is required in the selection of readings to be used on a particular occasion.