In health care, we are often confronted by the disparities and inequities of care. When the focus is on healing the body, we also know that the illness can often be brought on by a lack of access to resources in our society. Though the Scripture is filled with images of abundance at the table where all are welcome, the reality in our world is that people rarely experience that level of equality.
Being mindful of these disparities promotes communion as a symbol of unity. Holy Communion is the pinnacle of this spiritual union. Mindful of this, every encounter is an opportunity to raise the awareness of that justice that brings us into unity. The unity is between peers and individuals, but also with God. A health care provider mindful of these inherited disparities, would include thirst for righteousness and unity in the plan of care.
Coming to the altar table to receive holy Communion for a Catholic, is the source that provides nourishment and encouragement for a life lived by grace. The hospital bed is another altar table of sorts. So important is this sacrament of the Eucharist that it is combined within the last three sacraments a Catholic would receive at the end of life.
Traditionally known as the last rites, a priest confers to the dying Catholic the last holy Communion they will receive on Earth, known as viaticum, along with reconciliation (confession), and anointing of the sick. Often in contemporary hospital settings, it is rare when all three can be provided. For example, an individual on life support cannot make a valid confession or receive holy Communion. Also, in times of emergency, it is not always possible to have a priest at the bedside.
Thus, a deacon or an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist can provide holy Communion for an alert and oriented patient without providing the other two sacraments. Regardless of the pressures of the moment, a health care provider could be mindful that, ideally, all three or any of these three sacraments provide spiritual nourishment
for the end-of-life journey. Creating space for this sacred ritual will quench the spiritual hunger and thirst for a patient who unites with the Divine through these transformative sacraments.
Anointing is the second sacrament for Catholics to obtain healing, the first being confession. In this sacrament, a priest anoints the sick with oil blessed for this purpose, a remedy and symbol of healing from ancient times. “Heal the sick!” is the message with which paragraph 1509 begins, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. A new illness or a new episode of worsening health allows a person of faith to receive the sacrament again. These sacraments are offered with liberating grace and the desire to heal every fallen man who wants to find healing and peace. Receiving the sacraments with respect and dignity throughout our lives we keep ourselves in continual communications with the Divine.
Receiving the mystery of anointing of the sick, we enter the presence of our God whom we serve and witness and follow through our previous life experiences with faithfulness and love.