Scripture ~ “Through us, God brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of wholeness (salvation)—an aroma redolent with life.” 2nd Corinthians 2:15 The Message
Spiritual Focus ~ “Let your thoughts be Psalms, your prayers incense, and your breath praise.” The Rev. Charles Spurgeon, 19th century British Baptist pastor
Breath Prayer ~ Let my prayer rise up as incense.
Devotions ~ Of all the senses, our sense of smell is the most related to memory, which for better or for worse, can often evoke emotions. Imagine the smell of baking bread, Old Spice cologne, a bonfire, or lavender on a pillow. Pause, take a breath, and consider a scent that brings back a pleasant memory for you, perhaps a memory that connects you to someone or some place when you experienced joy. These past few weeks we’ve explored how connecting through our senses enriches our experience of God’s presence: sacred listening, sacred seeing (or focused gaze), and now, how certain scents have the potential to connect us to a holy—almost primal—experience.
Across religious, cultural, and spiritual traditions, the burning of incense is a practice that connects the community in a ritual of shared intentions, symbolism, and healing. Catholic churches often burn incense at funeral masses to symbolize the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Many American Indians, such as the Dakota, practice a smudging ritual by igniting a bundle or braid of dried herbs and waving its smoke to purify a space. Smudging metaphorically cleanses and renews the body, the mind, and the spirit. Burning incense is incredibly symbolic in Hinduism. As an incense stick burns completely to ashes and its scent fills the room, this ritual represents the human sacrifice to society. Many yoga studios burn palo santo, “holy wood”, from trees grown in Central and South America to decrease pain, inflammation, and stress.
The many scripture references to scents, fragrances, and the burning of incense signify a communal intent to gather around a ritual that unites us with something greater than self that we name God. Today’s scripture suggests we are a fragrant community, recognized by our sweet scent, and, perhaps by evoking memory or emotion, it reminds us we are connected to a life of wholeness in Christ.
