Christ the King Lutheran Church - Gladwin, Mi.
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The Gospel in Scales

Clever Words: A Lenten Devotional

4/11/2019

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A Clever Word for the Season of Lent
ὀσμή (
osmē)

smell, odour
A Clever Verse for Context
The house was filled with the fragrance (osmē) of the perfume (John 12:3b).
Clever Reflections
Spiritual
Our NRSV Bible translation would have us believe that the smell (osmē)
of Mary’s costly perfume is a sweet thing, a fragrance.  In reality osmē is a neutral term; determined as good or bad by context.  To Mary, the perfume smells of miracles and answered prayers.  It carries the scent of holiness.  For Judas the perfume smells like decadence, excess wealth, and waste.  I am reminded of Aaron Burr’s remark to Angelica in the Broadway Musical Hamilton,
“your perfume smells like your daddy’s got money.”  But good or bad, the smell fills the entire house, no one is left unaware.  Not unlike the God’s presence: felt by some as consolation, others as discomfort, and others as urgency.  Regardless, God fills all creation, pervasive and persistent as Mary’s perfume.         

Literary
In Greek, the word osmē is used of both foul and pleasant smells. For example, the chorus of Aristophanes’ Peace speaks of the “terrible smells (osmē) of animal hides” (Peace 753), while a servant character in Aristophanes’ Assemblywomen speaks of choosing the wine “that has the best smell (osmē), (Assemblywomen 1124).

Clever Questions for Further Reflection
What smells have been particularly memorable in your life?  What or who do you associate them with?

In what different ways have you felt the presence of God? (Comfort, urging, inspiration, etc.)
​

A Clever Prayer to Close
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,  so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.  God[f] put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

~Ephesians 1:17-23

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    Journey through the season of Advent with daily updates on the adventures of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Belliacre, MI as they attempt to cobble together a Christmas Pageant with an unlikely cast of characters.   

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    Amelia Corbett
    Amelia is a cool chick, who enjoys board game construction, elephants, and overall tom foolery. She lives in Gladwin with her parents and younger sister Beatrice.  

    Pastor Emily Olsen
    The charmingly weird Pastor Emily is blessed to live in Beaverton, serve the people of Christ the King Lutheran in Gladwin, and stand up paddleboard in just about any body of water she can find.  She has cats not snakes, but wouldn't hesitate to take in a stray python. tarantula, or dinosaur should it show up on her doorstep.  

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    Stephanie Dubbs
    Stephanie is an art educator and a landscape/portrait artist.  Her inspirations come from the amazing people she meets and the gorgeous state of Michigan as well as her home state of Florida.  She and he husband love nature.  They are out in the water during the summer months and on the snow in the winter enjoying the simple pleasures of life.  
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Christ the King Lutheran Church
600 S. M 18 
Gladwin, Mi. 48624
989-426-1659
Pastor Emily Olsen
pastor.ctkinggladwin@gmail.com


Email ctkinggladwin@gmail.com for correction or to have information included on this web page
  • Home
    • Pictorial Directory
    • Contact Us
    • Links
  • Worship Procedures
  • Who are We
    • Mission and Vision
    • Staff and Office Hours
    • Church Council
    • History
    • Newsletter
    • Calendar
  • Faith Formation
    • Sunday School
    • Christ the King Youth
    • Camping Ministry
    • Kids Club
    • Confirmation
    • Vacation Bible School
  • Ministries
    • Stephen Ministry
    • Quilting
    • Food Distribution
    • Backpacks for kids
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • Parish Nurse
    • Columbarium
  • Worship
    • Schedule of Worship
    • How we worship
    • Children
  • Special Events
  • Budget / Annual Meeting
  • Blog