Throughout the church
year, we do not read very often from the Song of Songs, yet this book has been
the favorite of many great Saints. The
Song of Songs has been called “the Great Love Story between God and the Soul”,
yet, it is the only book of the Bible that never once mentions the name of
God. But when you read it, with the eyes
of faith, you find God everywhere, in the symbolism of this book’s poetry, and
song-like dialogues.
Song of Songs is a series
of love poems about a Bride and her Groom.
The traditional Jewish interpretation identifies the Groom as the God
and the Bride as the people of Israel.
Early Christian interpreters understood the Groom as Jesus and the Bride
as the Church. Especially in light of
Saint Paul who refers to the Church as the Bride of Christ several times. In just a few short verses, we realize that
the Bride and Groom in the Song of Songs are passionately in love. If you wish to more deeply encounter the love
God has for you, meditate with the eyes of faith, on the Song of Songs!
The Song of Songs is very
appropriate for Advent. For as two
lovers joyfully anticipate being in each other’s presence, they call out to
each other, they speak their desire for each other, so the Church joyfully and
passionately awaits Christ.
Hark! my lover–here he
comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
In the Gospel, the lover himself traveled over the hill country of judea, in the womb of the Virgin Mother.
He rises over the
mountains, much like the rays of the morning sun. Which is why, in the O
Antiphon for today, the Church calls out to Christ, “O Oriens” O Rising Sun, O
Radiant Dawn, come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of
death. On the eve of the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, the
Church announces Christ as light.
I hope your advent
preparations have helped you encounter this God who loves you. I hope you have encountered Him as light that
pierces through the darkness of your life.
Each of us have struggles, anxieties, darkness. The relationship with Christ may not
eliminate the darkness from your life, but in Christ we encounter the light
shining in the darkness, a love which accompanies amidst all of our worldly
trials. This light is so powerful, that even in the midst of darkness, we are
able to cry out with St. Paul, “death, where is thy sting?” Darkness may be
present, but it has no power over the Christian who walks in the light.
Rejoice, the Lord, our
Lover is coming to meet us. Let us open our arms and hearts to Him for the
glory of God and salvation of souls.
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