<> Ask the Pastor The Rev'd Fr. Walter Snyder O joyous day! As I sit writing this week's column, I celebrate the return home of my beloved Stephanie. Her surgeries were successful and she has been released by the doctors to do most anything (except lift more than ten pounds). Thus, I expect that I'll be finding myself regularly employed in the fetching and carrying of items for the next six weeks or so. Such a small price to pay for having my wife back with me! Likewise, I am content that I made the correct decision in declining the call to be pastor in Herington, Kansas. Thus I can continue to enjoy the many wonderful people here in southeast Texas, including those of my own congregations. Q: You said in an earlier column about the church and the poor that "liberation theology looks for some sort of heaven on earth, where the kingdom of God is seen as some sort of utopia." I've believed that the eternal home for our Lord Jesus Christ and his saints will lie on this earth. Would you comment? A: Your letter mentioned passages from Revelation. One was 21:2-3, "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them.'" Revelation 21 likewise could give the impression of the resurrection life being lived on earth. However, note that John in Rev. 21:1 speaks of "a *new* heaven and a *new* earth." Compare this to Jesus' prophecy of the end times (Mt. 24:35), "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Part of our problem with interpretation is that "heaven" is used both to denote the eternal realm of God and "the heavens" or sky, outer space, and all they contain. The physical creation will be destroyed, removing all taint of sin. The new Jerusalem will not occupy what we now know as Planet Earth. It will be a physical place, since our physical bodies will be raised. But just as we will be new and different from what we were before death and world's end, so will be our dwelling place. That is why we are warned not to desire overmuch the things of this world, since they will be forever lost to us. Rather, Jesus tells the disciples (and us), Provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:33-34)" Q: Some churches use oil for anointing in some of their services. Why do they do that, what's it good for, and do Lutheran churches do that? A: Scripture is full of references to anointing with oil. Kings and priests in the Old Testament had scented olive oil poured out over their heads. The Good Samaritan in Jesus' parable poured oil and wine on the injured man's wounds. James speaks of anointing the sick. In much of Christendom, ~chrismation~ (sealing with oil) follows baptism. In the Eastern Orthodox churches, this is done instead of confirmation and immediately precedes first communion. The "oil of the catechumens" is applied to candidates for baptism in many churches. Some use it during the rite of confirmation or when people take holy orders (monks, nuns, priests, etc.). In addition, oil is used during many rites of blessing. It may be rubbed or poured on people, dwellings, animals, and the like. In keeping with James 5:14 ("Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."), the most common blessing oil is that for the sick. In the Roman Catholic Church, this is considered one of the seven sacraments. At one time, it was reserved for those close to death (hence its name, Extreme Unction). It is now considered proper to observe this sacrament for anyone who is sick or injured. While not common, some Lutheran churches regularly use oil in the context of blessing and sealing in the faith. Most Lutheran and other churches who use oil follow the ancient tradition of consecrating a year's supply of oils and fragrances on Maundy Thursday, often during a special morning service. This is in anticipation of the oils being used to prepare the body of Jesus following his death on Good Friday. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.