From the Friars: Love Song

There is something deep within our hearts that comes alive at the sound of a good song, especially a love song. I suspect God has something to do with this. In fact there is a book, or rather a love song placed directly in the middle of the Bible, ‘The Song of Solomon‘ or ‘The Song of Songs‘, which means the greatest of all songs! Rabbi Akiba, a Jewish Sage of the second century would exclaim:”…for all the ages are not worth the day on which the Song of Songs was given to Israel; for all the Writings are holy, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies.”

A saint and Doctor of the Church we celebrate this week, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, would attest to this. He wrote a total of 86 sermons on the first three chapters alone. Yet many who read ‘The Song of Songs’ are either confused of its meaning or scandalized by its sensual language. St. Bernard revealed that it celebrates our human desire for intimacy and points to humanity’s ultimate purpose, to be united with the Most Holy Trinity. It is a message about God’s love for His people and ultimately for the individual soul.

Born in Burgandy, France of a noble family in 1090, it soon became evident that Bernard was brilliant, highly influential and a born leader. After the death of his mother which affected him tremendously, he would eventually knock upon the door of a monastery known to be on the cutting-edge of Benedictine reform in Citeaux. However, he was not alone. Thirty of his family members and close friends were with him to become monks as well. He would one day lead the Cistercian reform as abbot at the new monastery in Clairvaux (Clear Valley), the catalyst for 343 more monasteries throughout Europe. Ironically, he would travel extensively and become quite politically involved, assisting Kings, leaders and popes alike, and even preach at the Crusades.

This devoted son of Mary, who is believed to have written the “Memorare” prayer would go on to write prolifically on contemplation and Christian Mysticism, penetrating the deep mystery of love. “I love because I love. I love that I may love.”. Bernard believed that love alone, disinterested and pure, is where we enter into real mutuality with God.

As a testament to his many miracles and deep mysticism we find him in the Divine Comedy characterized as Dante’s final guide to the Empyrean, the highest heaven and ultimate mystery of God.

St. Bernard be our guide as well.

–Br. Pio