Heaven Scent? Lilac or Lily?5/23/2019 ![]() Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter Are there lilac trees in this part of town? Yes, definitely. There is no lack of lilacs. I’ve been looking at lilacs for the past week or so. I’ve also been waiting for a day when I could include them in my reflection. When Brenda mentioned in her comment the other day that the scent of lilacs was overpowering the fumes of cars and buses where she works, she gave me the inspiration for this reflection. There also happens to be a bed of "lily of the valley" near by. The fragrance of lilac is unmistakable. It is bold and can be overpowering. The fragrance of "lily of the valley" is subtle and understated. Both are evocative in their own way. These fragrances can awaken something in us. Like the scents of sauces cooking on a stove that awaken memories of meals and moments around a table with friends and family, these fragrances can open us up to beauty and bounty and God's creation.
Many mystics speak of their awareness of God’s presence through a floral fragrance. Heaven scent might be the smell of roses, or lilacs or lilies (Easter or “of the valley.”) Whether it be the overpowering fragrance of the lilac, the subtle one of the "lily of the valley" or the sweet smell of the rose, it can evoke a sense of the Other. One of the geniuses of St Ignatius of Loyola’s ways of praying is the use of all of the senses. They awaken us a longing for God and an awareness of the presence of God with us. In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “I have told you this that my joy may be in you and your joy be complete.” The fragrance of lilac, lily or rose can be a source of joy for us. Remember he “rose” and that is certainly a reason for joy!
3 Comments
Brenda
5/23/2019 03:41:14 pm
That was a beautiful reflection. I love how a wonderful smell can completely turn me around. And lilacs are one of my favorite scents.
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Tina
5/23/2019 06:47:50 pm
Such a beautiful reflection and exquisite photos! I love lilies of the valley and roses, too, but am especially drawn to the pungent lilacs. I bend down to smell them whenever I’m walking my dog. (He, being a beagle, prefers to keep his nose to the ground!) Thanks for reminding us of the Jesuit practice of finding God in all things. Smells are so evocative even though seeing and hearing often get more mentions. When my mother died, I took the last bottle of her favorite perfume, Shalimar, that I’d gotten for her and put it on my dresser. When I am especially missing her, I just open the bottle and smell deeply, and it’s almost as if she is there with me. It’s the easiest way to be flooded with happy memories of her. I often sleep to a sound machine set to an “ocean” pattern. It’s actually pretty good at producing sounds like real ocean waves. But there is no smell! Sitting on the beach and smelling the salty air, now that’s really amazing. We head to Cape Cod for Memorial Weekend, and I can’t wait to hear the roar of the waves and smell the sea. It always makes me feel close to God. Thanks again for this wonderful reflection.
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Maria
5/26/2019 07:05:54 am
The scent of lilies is beautifully overpowering, reminding me of funeral parlors. Perhaps that’s not such a bad thing. Instead of death, I am aware of the fragility of life. Aunt Connie despised
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Leave a Reply.AuthorAs an ordained Catholic priest for 45 years and a member of the Jesuits for 57 years, I've had a great deal of "spiritual" experience! This is a place where I can continue to share my thoughts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and what it means to live the "mystery of God." Categories |