June – Week 3

Madeleine is a qualified somatologist and has many years of experience as a massage therapist. Her passion is helping women discover their identity and inherent worth. This week she talks to us about the use of Essential Oils by taking us back to a well-known biblical narrative. May it inspire us to learn more about this age-old ointment and its many uses, for its health benefits knows no bounds.

 THIS IS HOW I PAUSE: I RELAX WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

We experience life through our senses. Think about it: How do we know the wind is blowing? We can feel it on our skin, we can see the trees moving, and we can hear the rustle of the leaves. In the case of smells, there are two categories: pleasant aromas and reeking odours. Both can trigger our memories: of events, people or places, either good or bad. Indeed, what would life be without our senses?

Today I want to tell you a story filled with scent — a very moving story, a personal favourite, and one that speaks deeply to me.

It is evening, and we are at the house of a brother and two sisters. They have invited many friends to join their guest of honour that night, Jesus of Nazareth. While the brother is seated next to Jesus, a friend of the whole family, one sister assumes her usual role of serving, while the other one is found in her usual position, worshipping at the feet of their special guest. It is this last sister that I want to talk about, for she caused quite a stir. Against all common sense and custom, she decided to unashamedly pour out her heart in an unforgettable way, a way many, for various reasons, would not dare to do. She took a year’s hard-earned wages and bought a costly essential oil called Nard or Spikenard to pour over the feet of Jesus before she wiped it with her hair. The expensive oil was not only a symbol of her love and devotion, but it was also a prophesy about his coming death. Thus, as she worshiped, she also prepared his body for burial.

In comparison to her extravagant gift and generous worship, most people’s devotion paled that night, and thus they openly disagreed with her. As this strong fragrance filled the house and lingered in the noses of all present, nobody could deny Mary’s bold declaration of love and honour for the King of Kings. Sure, she could have served him like Martha or given the money to the poor, as others suggested, but she was moved to do something different, something that Jesus promised would be remembered for all eternity and every time his death is mentioned, for her motivation was pure, undiluted love for her Master.

This story of John 12 speaks to me in such a unique way. It speaks of a woman’s ability to forget about other people’s opinions and focus her love, and worship wholeheartedly on Jesus. What fascinates me is that she used Nard, a costly essential oil. Therefore, let us quickly look at essential oils before we talk about their importance.

Essential oils are extracted from plants. The leaves, flowers, roots, or bark can be used and put through a procedure to extract its essence. Plants, having different properties, have been used since ancient times to aid in healing practices, religious ceremonies, personal use (to smell good), and for burial purposes – making essential oils an ancient tradition. Today we use it in massages, diffusers, perfumes, and skincare products.

So, if we go back to the story, why did Mary use Nard oil, and what was the purpose of a burial oil? Nard oil or Spikenard is from the Eastern Himalayas. It was used as a perfume by kings and high officials for everyday use and burials. Bodies in the Middle East were embalmed to keep them from decomposing too quickly in the intense heat. Nard was mixed with Myrrh for burials, and then the body was wrapped in linen and herbs. Mary was preparing Jesus for his death on the cross. She was the first to realize He was going to die. It stirs me that she did not argue with Him to be safe or made plans not to die. Instead, she prepared Him for what was lying ahead, for I believe she understood something about surrender and especially surrendering to the will of an all-knowing God. Didn’t she surrender when she sat at his feet while her sister scurried around the kitchen the first time this family is introduced in the bible? Didn’t she surrender when her brother had been dead four days already? Didn’t she surrender now as she poured the Nard over his feet, sensing that she was about to lose her Teacher and Lord?

I, too, want to surrender to the will of God, and as I worship Him, I pray that my life will be a fragrance spilling over into every nook and cranny of my daily being and doing – as did Mary’s.