Sermons on the Song of Songs

But why is she compared to the turtle dove? No doubt, because this bird is remarkable for shyness, does not consort with many, and is said to be content with the company of a single mate; and if she should lose him, she seeks no other, but leads thereafter a solitary life. Do you, therefore, my brethren, who are listening to me, lest you should hear to no purpose what has been written for your good, and is now for your good being examined and discussed—do you, I say, moved by these exhortations of the Holy Spirit, and animated with an ardent desire to discover how you may make your souls the spouses of Christ, study to beautify the two cheeks of your intention, that, after the example of the turtle dove, the most modest of birds, you may sit solitary, as the Prophet Jeremias says, because you have raised yourselves above yourselves. For surely it is to be raised above yourselves to be espoused to the Lord of angels. Are you not raised above yourselves when you cleave to God and are made one Spirit with Him? Sit solitary, then, like the turtle dove. Have nothing to do with the throng, nothing in common with the multitude of men. O holy soul, even “forget thy people and thy father’s house, and the King shall greatly desire thy beauty.” Remain alone, and amongst all preserve thyself for Him alone, Who has chosen thee from amongst all. Shun the public view; shun even the members of thine own household; withdraw from the company of friends and familiars, even from him who ministers to thy necessities. Knowest thou not that thy Beloved is of a shy disposition, and will not lend thee His presence in the presence of others? Seek solitude, therefore, not of the body, but of the mind and of the spirit, solitude in intention and in devotion. For “a Spirit before thy face is Christ the Lord,” and what He requires of thee is not a physical but a spiritual isolation. Nevertheless, thou wouldst do well to withdraw thyself in body as well from time to time, according to thy opportunity, and especially at the hour of prayer. Thou hast for this also both the precept and the example of thy Beloved. “But thou,” He says, “when thou shalt pray, enter thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret.” And what He preached to others, He practised Himself. He used to pass the night alone in prayer, separating Himself not only from the crowds, but also from every one of His disciples, not even excepting His most familiar friends. When of His own accord He was hastening to meet death, He took with Him the three apostles with whom He was most intimate. But He retired even from their company when He wished to pray. Therefore, do thou act similarly when thou wouldst give thyself to the exercise of prayer.

For the rest, nothing more is enjoined you, my brethren, but the solitude of mind and of spirit. You are alone in this way, when you exclude the thought of common things, and all attachment to present things; when you contemn what the many admire, and count as nothing what they eagerly covet; when you avoid disputes, make light of temporal losses and forget injuries. Otherwise, you will not be really alone, even when you have no visible company. Or do you not understand that one can be alone although surrounded by a multitude and, contrariwise, one can be in the company of many when exteriorly alone? You are alone, my brethren, no matter what number are with you, provided you are careful neither to inquire too curiously into the conduct of your neighbour, nor rashly to sit in judgment upon his doings. And if you happen to discover some fault in him, even so, beware of condemning, but rather excuse. At least excuse the intention, if you cannot excuse the act. Believe that what appears blameworthy is due to ignorance, or to surprise, or to mere accident. But if the guilt is so manifest that you cannot shut your eyes to it, still do your best to extenuate what you are unable to excuse, and say to yourselves, “The temptation no doubt was exceedingly strong. What would have become of me were I subjected to a similar trial?” And remember that it is to the Spouse I have been speaking thus, not to the friend of the Bridegroom. For the latter has the special duty of keeping diligent watch to prevent sin on the part of his charge, of examining whether sin has been committed, and, if so, of administering due correction. But the Spouse is under no such obligation and lives to herself alone and to Him Whom she loves, her Bridegroom and her Lord, Who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen.