One of the reasons
that many of us give
for not wanting to live
a long time ago
is the poor quality
of healthcare.
We don't want to live
with leeches
or knives used for bleeding
or the horrible way
In which those suffering
from mental diseases
were treated.
Indeed,
if we were lying bleeding
by the side of the road,
would we want someone
to pour oil and wine
onto our wounds?
[PAUSE]
"Ah!" you might say,
"the ancients often know
better remedies for illness
than we do now."
It's a good point
given how artificial
much of our treatment
appears.
Indeed, we have found
that olive oil can be used
as an anti-inflammatory
and disinfectant.
We have found that wine
can stimulate blood flow
and has other properties
that help the healing process.
But they have their limitations.
You wouldn't want
to use them
if the wound is infected.
But for a temporary solution
to a wound
you could do a lot worse
than pour oil and wine on it.
[PAUSE]
For the Samaritan
binding the wounds
of the poor traveller,
a temporary solution
is all you need.
Once you get him
to the inn
and pay for his care,
then those wounds
will be washed
and treated carefully
and heal
ready for the Samaritan's return.
But oil and wine
will do for now.
[PAUSE]
Does this mean
that, in order to be
a good neighbour
we need to be carrying around
oil and wine just in case?
Well that might do
for the likes of Jamie Oliver
having balsamic vinegar,
turmeric and quince zest
in his back pocket,
but for us
that seems unlikely.
Remember,
Our Lord is expecting
us to have mercy,
not whip up sour dough
at a moment's notice.
But one thing
that is good to know
is that the Greek word for mercy
- and you know it
when we sing
Kyrie eleison -
is related to the pouring on
of oil.
Each time
we show mercy
we are pouring oil
onto wounds
or onto troubled water.
We anoint with oil
as a cleansing and purifying
substance.
It eases stiff necks
and softens proud hearts.
This is why we are told
to use oil
in our sacraments.
As the oil cleanses us outwardly,
inwardly we are cleansed
by the Holy Ghost Himself.
We show mercy
when we seek
to calm a situation
and dispel evil thinking,
cruel intentions
and defuse anger.
Just as the Samaritan
seeks to cleanse the wounds
of the poor embattled traveller,
so do we seek
to cleanse the wounds of Sin
not by condemnation
but by forgiveness, truth, beauty
and love.
[PAUSE]
We use oil
at Baptism,
Confirmation,
Ordination,
and Unction
so that the Holy Ghost
may bring us His peace in our lives.
He is the oil
that will ease our path
back to Heaven.
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