Sermons on the Song of Songs

Therefore, “while the King was at His repose,” the spikenard of His Spouse gave forth its odour. The King takes His repose on the Bosom of His Father, because the Son is always in the Father. And doubt not, my brethren, that He will show Himself a gracious Monarch, since He reposes everlastingly on the bed, so to speak, of the Father’s benignity. It is only natural that the cry of the humble should mount up to Him Whose home is in the very Well-Spring of piety, to Whom sweetness is essential, to Whom goodness is substantial, or rather, consubstantial, Whose whole Being is so wholly from the Father, that trembling humility need suspect in His royal Majesty the presence of nothing that is not paternal. Besides, we have the pledge, “By reason of the misery of the needy, and the groans of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord.” The Spouse, consequently, well aware of this promise, as being one of His household and especially beloved, has no fears of being excluded from her Bridegroom’s favour on account of her poverty of merit, because she places all her hope in her humility. But as she is still mindful of His sharp reproof, she does not now venture to call Him her Bridegroom or her Beloved, but less familiarly refers to Him as the King. Nevertheless, whilst she thus acknowledges the immensity of His elevation above her, her humility preserves its simple trust.

This text, which I have been discussing, is particularly applicable to the primitive Church. Call to mind those days following upon the Ascension of the Lord to the place which was His from eternity, where He sits in Majesty at the Father’s Right Hand, yet, at the same time, reposes in tranquillity on that ancient, noble, most glorious Couch of His Bosom. Call to mind, I say, those days when the disciples were gathered together in the upper chamber, “persevering with one mind in prayer, with the women, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.” Does it not seem to you, my brethren, that then especially, the spikenard of the young and tremulous Spouse “sent forth the odour thereof”? And when “suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting,” could not the same Spouse, still tender, weak, and needy, say with all confidence, “while the King was at His repose, my spikenard sent forth the odour thereof”? It certainly was made clear to all who were present in that upper chamber, how pleasing and acceptable was the odour sent up by her humility, from the multitude and magnificence of the gifts wherewith it was immediately rewarded. Nor did she prove ungrateful for so great a benefit. For hear how, being instantly filled with holy love, she prepares to suffer all things for the sake of her Divine Benefactor. “A bundle of myrrh is my Beloved to me,” she exclaims, “He shall abide between my breasts.”

My weakness, brethren, which you well know, will not suffer me to proceed. So I shall conclude with this one remark. The Spouse here declares herself ready, for the love of her Bridegroom, to endure the bitterness of tribulation, signified by the bundle of myrrh. The full exposition of this verse you shall have at another time; on condition, however, that by your prayers you obtain for me the light of the Holy Ghost. For He alone can enable us to understand the words of the Spouse, since it was He Who inspired them, and made them such as He knew would most fittingly express the praises of Him Whose Spirit He is, the Bridegroom of the Church, Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen.