*|MC:SUBJECT|*

View this email in your browser

A daily Lenten e-mail with lessons of hope and courage, inspired by a variety of resources to encourage us in these confusing and turbulent times from St. Luke’s Church, Lebanon.

Wednesday - Fifth Week in Lent

The sense of smell is closely linked with memory, probably more so than any of our other senses. Those with a fully functioning sense of smell may be able to think of smells that evoke particular memories: the scent of wild flowers in blossom may conjure up recollections of a childhood picnic. This often happens spontaneously, when smell triggers the recall of a long-forgotten event. Marcel Proust, in his ‘Remembrance of all Things Past’, wrote that a bite of a madeleine vividly recalled childhood memories of his aunt giving him the very same cake before going to mass on a Sunday.

The smell of fire. I actually have some fond associations with the various smells related to fire — oak logs burning in the fireplace, barbecue grills in the summer, even the butane of my father’s cigarette lighter.

But more often, the smell of fire or smoke signals danger, destruction and even catastrophe.

Hell is constantly portrayed in terms of fiery torture. The first lesson appointed for today’s liturgy describes the fiery furnace into which Nebuchadnezzar throws Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This perhaps represents the ultimate trial by fire. In the end, though, we hear how their faith protects them and they emerge unscathed — the fire had no power over them.

It’s a small leap to see their story in a symbolic light: faith in their God protected them from the fires of sin and corruption.

It’s not a huge leap from there to some of the metaphorical fires burning around us today: racism, sexism, homophobia — hatred of all kinds. And, of course, the most combustible fuels for fires like these are lies, ignorance, and fear.

But in the Gospel lesson, Jesus proclaims that the truth will make us free. Regrettably, we are well aware that proclaiming the truth alone will not extinguish the fires of bigotry and hate. If we are to extinguish these fires, we must strive for truth in all things – and that begins with the source of truth – Christ Jesus.

Scripture Lessons appointed for the day
(Click on the lesson for the text)
Daniel 3:14–20,24–28
John 8:31–42
Canticle [2] or 13

“Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an odor cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it.”
― Patrick Süskind,

The scent of Truth . . .

What smells trigger memories for you?
What stirs inside you when you allow this memory to come to you?
What smells make you think of God?

In the Beauty of Holiness

Robin Mark

Come Heal This Land

Licensed to YouTube by

[Merlin] Absolute Label Services (on behalf of Integrity Music)
Capitol CMG Publishing

“It is well to have specifically holy places, and things, and days, for, without these focal points or reminders, the belief that all is holy and "big with God" will soon dwindle into a mere sentiment. But if these holy places, things, and days cease to remind us, if they obliterate our awareness that all ground is holy and every bush (could we but perceive it) a Burning Bush, then the hallows begin to do harm.”

― C.S. Lewis