Incense

[BernadetteM]

Today we had a visiting priest celebrate the Mass, he is a Nobertine father. He said something interesting about incense. He spoke about Shekinah Glory and said that when the priest uses incense it is like a cloud of glory which would be related to the Old Testament. When God covered the sky with Shekinah Glory (clouds) so that He could not be seen.

Has anyone ever heard of this explanation before?

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

 

[japhy]

… a Nobertine father … said something interesting about incense. He spoke about Shekinah Glory and said that when the priest uses incense it is like a cloud of glory which would be related to the Old Testament. When God covered the sky with Shekinah Glory (clouds) so that He could not be seen.

The Shekinah glory refers to the “cloud” that appeared over the Ark of the Covenant and throughout the Tent of Meeting:
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would go onward; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not go onward till the day that it was taken up. For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel. (Exodus 40:34-38)
It seems reasonable that the cloud of incense is a symbol for that cloud of glory. Incense also represents our prayers and offerings. (cf. Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4)

 

[BernadetteM]

The Shekinah glory refers to the “cloud” that appeared over the Ark of the Covenant and throughout the Tent of Meeting:
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would go onward; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not go onward till the day that it was taken up. For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel. (Exodus 40:34-38)
It seems reasonable that the cloud of incense is a symbol for that cloud of glory. Incense also represents our prayers and offerings. (cf. Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4)

Thanks for your response. I do believe Father went into it further than I could remember, I enjoyed your quotes as I have a terrible memory of what is said in talks, except for something that strikes my interest more. I also have a small learning disability ADD which makes it more difficult to take in all that is said.

So thank you again.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette