How is it that saying magical words at vegetable oil turns it into holy consecrated oil used to slather on a sickies head with more magical words to heal them magically?

Answer 1

Anointing the sick is a practice that has been in the world since Adam. Prophets in the Old Testament taught and preformed healing of the sick and afflicted.

The "Magic", as you call it, does not occur in the oil itself, but rather, in the faith of those present. All things can be done by faith. As the woman reached out and touched Jesus' robe as He passed her, it was not the robe that healed the woman, but her great faith that if she could but just touch His clothes, she would be healed.

The oil is not slathered, but a small drop is placed at the crown of the sick persons head, one prayer is said to anoint the person with oil that has been set apart for the healing of the sick, and does so in the name of Jesus Christ. The second part of a healing blessing is a second prayer by another individual who seals the anointing and pronounces a blessing as the spirit directs, and closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

If all things are done in faith, just the fact that the oil has been consecrated is a showing of faith. Sometimes it is the faith of those pronouncing the blessings that makes the difference, and sometimes it is the faith of the person receiving the blessing.

It is a humbling experience to witness or participate in a blessing. To me, it is a witness that God does indeed know and love His children, and is aware of their needs.