Linda Smith, RN on rediscovering the healing power of Bible Oils

Sent to Heal and Anoint

(The following article is based on a presentation given at the 2004 Annual Conference of the Association of Professional Chaplains)

Why should chaplains be interested in anointing? Is it only symbolic or is there any real healing in the oil that is used? In the scriptures they weren’t using cooking oils!

Throughout history, people have created rituals to celebrate, bless and heal. “Anointing” meant they would touch with oil an individual, group, sacred objects or even their homes to signify that a sacred connection to God was being made. It recognized the coming together of the physical world and the spiritual world. Oil became a symbol of the healing power of God breaking into the lives of people. It was a sign of a unique blessing that was healing and sustaining. There are over a 1,000 references in the scriptures to the use of oils but only one formula given to Moses for the people. It contained Myrrh, Cinnamon, Cassia and Calamus. Many today believe it was used to protect the Israelites from a plague. Modern science shows these oils contain either immune-stimulating or antiviral compounds or both.

There were oils esteemed as holy—frankincense, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and spikenard. Other oils include those from scented barks and resins, flowers, roots and seeds. We find references to aloes, pine, fir, cedarwood, cypress, hyssop, myrtle, and Rose of Sharon.

To be anointed with sacred oil in Old Testament days was a sign of great favor. When Jesus came, he said he was God’s anointed one. During his ministry, he was anointed several times and taught his disciples how to use aromatic oils and then sent them out to both heal and anoint.

Oils played an important part in healing during the early years of Christianity. Christians privately used oil, ointments and salves that had been blessed by the priests for physical and spiritual healing. There was a strong belief among Christians concerning possession by evil spirits. Demonic spirits are repelled by their smell. They fervently prayed, laid on hands and anointed all those who were sick in body, mind and spirit. “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13

If anointing for healing was so powerful, what happened to it? Within a few hundred years, it was associated only with the forgiveness of sins and public penances. Eventually it was taken from the laity and given to the priesthood who anointed only the seriously ill combining it with absolution for sin. After the reformation, anointing and laying-on of hands fell into disfavor not to return until modern times.

In the letter of James to the church at Jerusalem, the practice of prayer, the laying-on of hands and anointing with oil is described as Christian duty. Each act of anointing opens us to the possibility of receiving God’s favor—God’s healing grace. When we take the very essence of the plants, the essential oils, and breathe them, rub them on our bodies or take them within, we accept the gift of blessing from God. We are reminded that through anointing, God has set his seal upon our hearts.

So how can chaplains incorporate healing oils in pastoral care settings? First—become knowledgeable about the healing abilities of therapeutic essential oils. The Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry program (www.HTSpiritualMinistry.com) offers a course called Sent to Heal and Anoint in its curriculum. I recommend that you use only therapeutic quality, not perfume-grade, oils. Just because an oil says it is from the “Holy Land” does not mean it is a therapeutic grade, especially if it is in a clear vial. HTSM offers policies/procedures to guide you in the use of anointing oils. Anointing for healing is not the same as “sacramental” anointing performed by Roman Catholic or Episcopal priests. It is, however, an anointing well within the duties of a chaplain.

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