HEALING OIL

Healing oil was a very ancient way of healing and restoring the skin to softness, wounds for healing as well as used in cooking like we do today.  Anointing with oil expressed caring and also kings and prophets would be anointed by oil to carry on their sacred roles as leaders of the community.  The Talmud even allowed the treatment of pain with oil on the Sabbath.

At the beginning of the ministry of Jesus he spoke in the synagogue saying; "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor."  His love would be expressed in touching and healing the sick, the frightened, the forsaken outcasts with healing words that flowed from him to be poured out like oil over the ones in pain.

  Jesus spoke with authority that came from a heavenly Father even though he had no publicly recognized father and could have been even denied entry into the local congregation.

Even today religion tries to impose rules and restrictions that slow down the ministry of restoration and renewal.  Religion needs salvation that only saving grace can provide.
 
This time of year there often seems to be sickness and taking our friend Shirley to the hospital felt sad but also a sense of relief as we knew she needed to be under a doctor's care.  We are now waiting for news from the family.

It takes more than Christmas decorations to lift our spirits this time of year; so busy and stressful for many.
      We need the loving presence of others to visit and bless our homes.
            We need to remember those for whom this is a sad time of year.

Jesus would have his feet, filthy and dirty, annointed by a woman anointed with tears and with oil as she repented of her sins and received forgiveness.  Love expressed was returned to her.

"Her many sins have been released, because she loved much; but to whom little is released, loves little."  Luke 7:47  Forgiveness sets us free and releases acts of generosity and compassion!