Day 206: Healing the Sick

The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments, there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick: "This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord." CCC 1511

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses the example set by Jesus and the Apostles for the Church's calling for healing those who are struck by illness, most especially through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

The Catechism Compendium has a summary of the Church's attitude toward the sick:

Having received from the Lord the charge to heal the sick, the Church strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick and accompanying them with her prayer of intercession. Above all, the Church possesses a sacrament specifically intended for the benefit of the sick. This sacrament was instituted by Christ and is attested by Saint James: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call in the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14-15). (#315)

This sacrament is not "magic" and the Lord may not grant physical healing of our bodies. The Catechism Companion, Vol II notes:

God may allow us to experience illness as a correction so we will change our lives, or because he wants us to grow, or because he wants to soften our hearts. He also may allow us to experience suffering because it is redemptive. St. John Paul II wrote in Salvifici Doloris that nothing is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, but Jesus extends to us a sliver of his Cross so that you and I can be co-workers in the mystery of his redemptive work in this world. Jesus wants us to share in his affliction as well as his glory, shaping our hearts to be more like his... Pain and suffering remind us of our finiteness and can be God's megaphone to awaken us from spiritual slumber. (p. 176) 

Finally, Fr. Mike Schmitz in this video answers the question of why God doesn't heal everybody: