The 5 Senses of the Catholic Faith: Smell and the Sealing of Our Gifts
- Abby Thomas
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
My closet is both a magical and scary place! It amazes me how someone with so many clothes has so little to wear (or so I think as I panic-pick my outfit for Sunday Mass). Yet, I am amazed that my closet can accommodate ALL the clothing of someone living in the Midwest. I am not one to rotate my clothes seasonally, so, with the exception of a few maternity things, my closet houses everything from floral dresses worn in the warmer months to sweaters and cardigans for the winter months. Not to mention the wild game of finding clothes to accommodate my ever-changing pregnancy/postpartum body!
I do find that almost everything in my closet (with maybe the exception of the pink sequined tracksuit) has a purpose. For example, the blue cotton skirt I wore repeatedly at nine months pregnant was extremely unflattering over the baby bump three months prior. And if I wore my favorite sweater-and-vest combo on these 80-degree August days, I would die from heat exhaustion.
There is a time and season for everything!
The interesting thing about certain fabrics and clothes is that some cling to scents. Even after going through the washing machine, my husband’s cologne sticks to his favorite white button-up. And more often than not, the smell of smoke lingers after a night spent at a bonfire.
My favorite experience is when I can smell incense in my hair or on a sweater after leaving Mass or a night of Eucharistic Adoration. It is a sensory reminder of the Incarnation and the true miracle of our Lord becoming human and making His Body and Blood available to us in the form of bread and wine in the Eucharist.
The incense used during Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and processions has a distinct smell. I find it fascinating to know that there are many different incense blends. Some blends have more myrrh, some have hints of lavender or floral, and some have a woody aroma. But the scent of frankincense is almost always used as the base!
Why frankincense? If you remember, it was offered as a gift to the infant Jesus at Epiphany. Incense was associated with worship and offerings to God, but as a gift from the Magi, it pointed to the identity of Jesus. He was not only a king but God Himself!
I love how the Magi boldly proclaimed the true identity of the infant Jesus through the gifts they offered Him.
In a beautiful way, our identity is also proclaimed at Baptism. After the waters of Baptism wash away original sin, we are anointed with Sacred Chrism. As newly baptized children of God, this fragrant oil is an outward sign of our new identity in Christ. It reminds us that we now share in His mission as priest, prophet, and king.
His mission continues long after the smell of the Sacred Chrism fades. The Holy Spirit gives each of us special gifts, called charisms, to use in collaboration with Him to build up the Church and further the Kingdom of God here on earth.
The identity we receive at Baptism is strengthened during the sacrament of Confirmation, as we receive a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are once again anointed with the fragrant Sacred Chrism oil, as we are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This sealing gives us grace to boldly live out our faith.
Just like the clothes in my closet, there is a time and season for each gift and each charism we are given. I am not using my warmest sweater on these 80-degree August days, but I know I will be grateful it’s available when I need it this winter.
In the same way, the Lord has given me the gifts of music, teaching, encouragement, hospitality, and many more! I may not be using the charisms of music or hospitality very often during this season of life, but just yesterday, I was given an opportunity to use the gift of encouragement during a conversation with a friend. And simply writing these words to you is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to use the gift of teaching through me!
Our gifts may look different in every season, but that doesn’t mean they disappear when they aren’t being used. The Holy Spirit knows exactly when and where each gift is needed!
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Abby
P.S. To learn more about charisms and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to check out these past Catholic Country Chronicles blog posts and podcasts! The Holy Spirit has so much to offer, and I hope these resources enhance your relationship with Him!
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