Holy Monday: The Cleansing Aroma of Purity and Reverence.

On Holy Monday, Jesus entered the temple and saw it filled with merchants and money changers, desecrating a space meant for worship. In righteous indignation, He drove them out, declaring, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘a den of robbers’” (Matthew 21:12–13). This act was not only a physical cleansing of the temple but also a profound reminder of the purity and reverence that should define our worship.

This moment ties beautifully to the theme of the pleasing aroma of Christ. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple, our lives are meant to be a dwelling place for His Spirit, exuding the fragrance of holiness. However, when we allow distractions, selfish ambitions, or worldly desires to take residence in our hearts, we compromise the purity of our worship.

The pleasing aroma of Christ comes when we, like the temple, are cleansed and wholly dedicated to Him. It is an offering of reverence, humility, and love that rises from a heart committed to His purposes. Holy Monday invites us to reflect: What needs to be driven out of our lives so that our worship can be pure and pleasing to the Lord?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

cleanse our hearts of anything that hinders us from worshiping You in spirit and truth. May our lives rise as a fragrant offering, holy and acceptable to You. Teach us to walk in reverence and devotion, that we may reflect Your purity in all we do. Amen.