Sermons on the Song of Songs

Wherefore, it is not in the power of a poor and needy, that is, of a pusillanimous soul, to confect for herself this spiritual ointment. The spices or elements from which it is produced are only possessed by confidence, which is itself the offspring of liberty of spirit and purity of heart. For he that is diffident and weak in faith is restricted by the scantiness of his resources, and by reason of this poverty cannot spare time to devote himself to the praises of God, or to the consideration of the divine benefits which evokes these praises. And if ever such a one has the courage to endeavour to raise himself to this sublimity, domestic necessities and clamorous cares drag him down again directly, and he has perforce to confine himself once more within the narrow limits of his straitened circumstances. If you ask me the cause of such misery, I shall answer by pointing to what, if I do not mistake, you will recognise as existing, or, at least, as having existed in your own selves. This feebleness and diffidence of soul usually springs, as it seems to me, from one or other of two causes, namely, from newness of conversion, or, in the case of those who have been long in religion, from tepidity of life. Both the beginner and the lukewarm monk feel their souls oppressed, dejected, and disquieted, the former because of the sudden change of life involved in conversion, the latter because he perceives his old passions revived by his laxity, and the consequent necessity of devoting his energies again to the task of rooting out the briers and nettles that have sprung up anew in his interior garden, a work which will require his continual presence at home. For surely he who staggers under the burden of such penitential labours cannot at the same time delight himself in the praises of God. How can the mouth that is filled with groans and lamentations give forth with Isaias “thanksgiving and the voice of praise”? We are told by the Wise Man that “Music in mourning is as a tale out of time.” Besides, thanksgiving does not anticipate, but follows upon the bestowal of favours. Now, the soul that is in sadness, far from rejoicing in divine favours, is rather sorely in need of them. She has, therefore, more incentives to prayer than motives for thanksgiving. One cannot surely recall a benefit which one has not yet received. Rightly, then, have I said that the indigent soul is unable to produce for herself the second species of ointment, which can be extracted only from the recollection of heavenly favours. She cannot see the light so long as she contemplates the shadows. Plunged in bitterness, she occupies herself with melancholy memories of her sins, to the exclusion of every brighter thought. It is to such souls the Prophet addresses the words, “It is vain for you to rise before the light.” As if he should say, “vainly do you attempt to rise to the contemplation of those benefits which excite feelings of pleasure, before the remorse which disquiets you has been soothed by the light of consolation.” The ointment of Devotion, therefore, is beyond the reach of the spiritually indigent.

But consider who they are that can sincerely lay claim to an abundance of it. The two apostles “went from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus.” Assuredly, they had anointed themselves well with the oil of the Spirit, whose sweetness could be soured neither by words nor stripes. For they were rich in charity, which no expenditure can exhaust, and from it they were always able to offer “holocausts full of marrow.” Their brimming hearts were constantly distilling this sacred unguent, with which they were then more abundantly supplied, when “they began to speak in divers tongues the wonderful works of God, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.” Those also, no doubt, were richly provided with the same precious liquor, to whom the Apostle bears witness where he says, “I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus, that in all things you are made rich in Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge, as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that nothing is wanting to you in any grace.” My brethren, would to God that I may be able to return similar thanks for you, as beholding you rich in virtue, full of fervour in the divine praises, and more plenteously abounding in all spiritual graces, through Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Amen.