What is the smoke Catholic priests wave around in church? Is this Christian or Biblical?

Catholic priests often use incense during Mass and other liturgical services. You might witness them swinging censers, which contain burning incense, sending clouds of fragrant smoke wafting through the air. This act, known as “censing,” carries spiritual symbolism and serves several purposes in Christian worship.

1. Symbol of Sanctification and Purification:

   • The smoke of incense symbolizes sanctification and purification. It represents the process of making things holy and worthy of worship.
   • Just as incense rises and permeates the air, prayer itself purifies and sanctifies believers, preparing them for worshiping God in heaven alongside angels and saints.
   • In the Old Testament, prayer is connected with purification, and the psalmist says, “Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee” (Psalm 141:2).

2. Prayers of the Faithful:

   • The rising smoke also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful ascending to God.
   • As the incense ascends, it carries the petitions, praises, and intercessions of the congregation toward heaven.

3. Biblical Roots:

   • The use of incense in Christian liturgy continues a Jewish tradition that predates it.
   • In the Old Testament, God commanded Moses to create an Altar of Incense for worship in the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:1-10).
   • The incense was made according to a “holy recipe” and was used as a perpetual offering before the Lord.
   • The spiritual meaning of incense is evident in passages like Sirach 39:13-14, which compares prayer to the fragrance of frankincense and lilies.

In summary, incense in Christian worship is both Christian and Biblical, carrying deep theological significance and connecting believers to the ancient practices of offering fragrant prayers to God ¹²³.