Be Filled

This episode is the first of two on the Song of Songs. We are covering Audiences 108-110. You won’t want to miss the beauty of this conversation. We hope that it prompts you to go deeper with the LORD!*

Quotes: 

 “The love of the bridegroom and bride in the Song of Songs is a theme by itself…it is a song of human love.” (TOB 108:1) 

“For in this book, kisses are mentioned, breasts are mentioned, cheeks are mentioned, loins are mentioned; and the holy pictures these words paint are not meant for mockery or laughter…we must (rather) notice how marvelously and mercifully, in making mention of the parts of the body and thus summoning us to love, (God) works with us; for he reaches down into the vocabulary of our sensual love in order to set our hearts on fire, aiming to incite us to a holy loving. Indeed, by the act in which he lowers himself in words, he also elevates our understanding; for from the words associated with this sensual love we learn how fiercely we are to burn with love for the Divine.” (Pope St. Gregory the Great) 

“The bridegroom says: 

You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride; 

You have ravished my heart with one glance of your eyes, 

With one bead of your necklace.

How sweet are your caresses, my sister, my bride.” (Song 4:9-10) 

“Love…pushes both to seek the common past as though they descended from the same family circle, as though from infancy they had been united by memories of the common hearth ... .A specific sense of common belonging follows from this. The fact that they feel like brother and sister allows them to live their reciprocal closeness in security and to manifest it.” (TOB 110:1) 

“A garden closed you are, my sister, bride, a garden closed, a fountain sealed.” (Song of Songs 4:12) 

“The bride presents herself to the eyes of the man as the master of her own mystery. One can say that both metaphors, “garden closed” and “fountain sealed,” express the whole personal dignity of the sex-of that femininity which belongs to the personal structure of self-possession and can consequently decide not only the metaphysical depth, but also the essential truth and authenticity, of the personal gift.” (TOB 110:7) 

Reflection Questions: 

1. What spoke to your heart most in this episode? 
2. What do you think about the Song of Songs (erotic love poetry) being in the Bible? Is there any way in which you would rather “disembody” this book of the Bible? Are you tempted to skip the actual physical relationship of the lover and get to the spiritual analogy? 
3. Has the word “eros” been twisted in your heart? Do you tend to think of the sexual embrace in terms of “pornea”? What exposures and experiences have wounded your vision?  Pray with this and ask the Lord where He wants to heal your heart. 
4. Have you ever read the Song of Songs? Consider reading the entirety of the book prayerfully. Notice what is brought up for you and ask the LORD what he wants to say to you. 
5. “Adoration” means “mouth to mouth”. How do you feel about the intimacy that our Lord wants with you? 
6. Are there things in your heart that you do not want the Lord to see? Could it be you are afraid exposing your interior thoughts will hurt? Pray with this and ask the Lord to help you be willing to show him everything. 
7. What is your reaction to the idea that we are “sister” and “brother” before we are bride and bridegroom? If you are married, do you see you spouse as though he/she is from a common “hearth”? If you are not married, do you look for someone who feels like a “brother” or “sister”, meaning you feel secure and at peace?
8. In what ways do you treat your spouse truly as a friend? In what ways are you not treating your spouse as your friend? 
9. When you feel irritated by someone, consider pausing and trying to see the person as Jesus sees. Ask the Lord to help you. 

Resources: 

Anemone Flower Clip

What Is the Song of Songs Doing in the Bible? 

St. Teresa of Avila in Ecstacy 

Picture of Will and Rachelle in 8th Grade

The Couple As An Icon Playlist 

Music from #Uppbeat

License code: TLZRGMLPENMXMSJN

* We had technical difficulties and do not have a video for this episode. It will be resolved for the next episode. There is a clip in the resources section with Katie sharing about the beautiful flowers she brought to show us! Enjoy listening!