A House Filled
“The house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”
Last week, I bought a new candle to bring a little joy to my makeshift, at-home workspace. It smells so pleasant, and it fills the whole house with the scent. While it was lit last week, my roommate couldn’t help but comment on how good it smelled throughout the day, and one morning she walked in the room and snapped a pic of the label on the candle so she wouldn’t forget the name.
There’s something powerful about smell. And Mary knew it. I can imagine that the aroma of her anointing was much like my new candle filling the whole house with a fragrance of glory. Just as my new candle drew the curiosity of my roommate, I can imagine the fragrance of Mary’s oil had a similar effect on the disciples.
The fragrance of Christ draws us in.
I found myself thinking about the fragrance that usually dwells in my house and the atmosphere I’m cultivating while at home. Do I create space for the fragrance of God to emanate? To draw me in and all the other people that enter my house? Does the Spirit have somewhere to rest in my heart and in my home? Is there a place for Christ to sit so that the aroma of His anointing can waft through my home?
This Holy Week, I want the fragrance of the Lord to be thick in my home. When my candle is lit, you can sense it when you walk in the door. But in my home, I want the fragrance of Christ’s presence to be just like my lit candle - something you can sense as soon as you open the door. This week, I’m changing my habits. I’m setting new goals, and I’m putting in new boundaries so that there’s space for the fragrance of God to rest. Maybe you want to join me?
Father,
Thank You for Your presence. Thank You for the death and resurrection that we know is coming this week, Lord. Thank You for receiving the gift of Mary’s anointing so that we have the joy of Your fragrance.
Jesus, help us to make space for You and Your fragrance to rest. Teach us how to strip back all the things that get in the way of experiencing Your presence. Help to enter into the anointing that Mary offered You and to anoint You as the head of our homes once more.
God, we love You. Help us to anoint Your head with oil as Mary did. Amen.