Fragrant Medicine

How do you recognize a presence of a demon?
By stench, of course! -  Ancient people were quite clear about it.
They had good reasons for this informed guess, bad smell and decay go hand in hand.
While, on the other hand, a clean fresh fragrant breeze heralds well being and health.
And that was also their way of dealing with bad smelling demons. They fended them off with incense and perfumes. Most exotic and potent fragrances and perfumes were reserved to protect the most vulnerable aspects of life - religion and love. This Sunday we will hear from the Song of Songs the secrets of the Biblical fragrant potion of love. 

  We will also celebrate a great theological and social achievement of our Presbyterian denomination. On Tuesday evening a majority of presbyteries approved the new definition of marriage which now includes the same gender couples. At Rutgers we have been celebrating same gender weddings since our state approved it (in prophetic defiance of the official Presbyterian interpretation) and we have also advocated for this change broadly and loudly in several General Assemblies. Now it becomes reality and we rejoice that the fresh fragrance of openness and caring love is repelling the stench of fundamentalist grudge and prejudice. Come to celebrate this power of fragrant love!