Perfumed ointments were widely used in warm climates of the ancient world to combat perspiration odor and it was customary to anoint the head and clothing on festive occasions; and ointment containing myrrh was used to anoint the dead before burial. - Luke 23:56 - In ancient times, as today, ointment was also used to soothe wounds and bruises.
Ointments or perfumed oil are often mentioned in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible for both their practical and ceremonial uses. God instructed Moses to compound a 'holy anointing oil' composed of pure myrrh, sweet cinamon, sweet calamus, cassia and olive oil. - Ex. 30:25 - The vessels in the tabernacle were anointed with this holy ointment. It was also used to consecrate Aaron and his sons to the priesthood. - Exodus chapter 26 to 30 -Ointments were used by the Hebrew true prophets to anoint new kings. - 2Kin. 9:3 - it was also used in anointing the sick - James 5:14 - and in preparing bodies for burial. - Mark. 14:8; Luke 23:56 -
In the New Testament, Jesus was deeply touched on more than once occasion by people who anointed Him with perfumed ointment. He accepted these deeds as acts of worship.
Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, when a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of the most expensive ointment and poured it on his head as he was at table. When they saw this, the disciples were indignant; 'Why this waste?' they said, 'This could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.' Jesus noticed this. 'Why are you upsetting the woman?' he said to them. 'What she has done for me is one of the good works indeed! You have the poor with you always but you will not always have me. When she poured this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you solemnly, wherever in all the world this Good News is proclaimed, what she has done will be told also, in remembrance of her.' - Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50 -
Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. The Judas Iscariot - one of the disciples, the man who was to betray him-said, 'Why wasn't this ointment sold for three hundred denari and the money given to the poor?' He said this, not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, 'Leave her alone, she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.' - John 12:1-8 -
Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death. - CCC 1500 -
Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him. - CCC 1501 -
If anyone of you is in trouble, he should pray; if anyone is feeling happy, he should sing a psalm. If one of you is ill, he should send for the elders of the church, and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him. - James 5:13-14 -
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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