I don’t know about all of you, but for me there is one book of the Bible that I am very reluctant to read in mixed company. The Song of Songs, or also known as the Song of Solomon. Why the concern, you might ask? Well, here are a few images from just the first two chapters:
- The man is described as a “Stag” or as a “Gazelle” bounding over the mountains
- The woman has a voice that is sweet and she is lovely
- The woman asks the man to “Kiss me with kisses of his mouth”
- “I am black and beautiful”
- “My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh; between my breasts he lies”
I had to stop with just these few, otherwise I would be headed for a cold shower! I mean isn’t this the inspired word of God!? Almost got a sense that I would need to read Scripture under the covers with a flashlight! What is the deal here?!
Seriously though. While some may take these images form this book as a bit risque at times, I think the overall feeling from the pages of the Song of Songs is one of joy. You can just feel the unbridled love the couple has for each other as they rejoice in each other’s presence. And the passion they show for each other is also expressed in their fidelity as well, as can be seen elsewhere in the chapter as one declares that “he is mine, and I am his” It is the perfect image of the perfect marriage.
There are many theologians who look at this book as more than a series of love poems between lovers. Some see the sentiments as reflective of how Christ sees his Church and also how God viewed His Chosen People in the Old Testament. In the alternate first reading for today, in Zephaniah, God shows His mercy and love for Israel in spite of their recurring act of disobedience and sinfulness. Some sentiments from this reading are::
- Sing joyfully, O Israel!
- The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
- He will sing joyfully because of you,
Despite Israel forgetting all that God had done for them, He continues to show love, mercy and JOY over His people.
And then we have today’s Gospel from Luke. Mary travels a long distance, while pregnant, over mountains to reach her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist. And how does Elizabeth, and the fetus (a young human being before birth – from the Cambridge Dictionary) within her, react to Mary’s presence? Joy. John leaps for joy and Elizabeth is overjoyed by the Mother of the Lord coming to her. There is that word Joy again. It seems to be pervasive in all today’s readings. Wasn’t this past SUNDAY Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday? Why are we seeing additional readings today expressing joy? Could it be that the Church has a high regard for Joy at this time of the year? Or maybe they want to emphasize that Joy is an integral aspect of our lives…or should be.
What is real Joy? I did address the difference between happiness (temporary and dependent on external influences) and joy in a previous reflection. But I think it is worth discussing joy again as we close in on Christmas. I found two descriptions of Joy in doing my research for this reflection.
- Assurance that God is in control of all details of my life. That we have confidence that everything is going to be alright. And we choose to praise God in ALL situations. Muslims have the word “Bismillah”. In the name of God, the merciful and compassionate. Bismillah is to be recited during good times and difficult ones. To keep the name of God in our minds always.
- Joy can be found in those who have hope in the future, do not see themselves as victims, form close relationships and have faith in something bigger than themselves.
Joy is lasting. Not fleeting. It is a sense that we remain in God’s presence always. My daughter Danielle is visiting with us for the last few weeks and she has brought her eldest son, Moussa, with her. He is 5 1/2. They obviously love each other very much. That love is obvious when all is going well and he is behaving how all parents would like their children to behave 24/7. But, of course, that never is the case. He inevitably acts up in some way that causes his Mother to offer a gentle, and sometimes not-so-gentle, correction. And while Moussa may not relish in being disciplined, his love for his Mother, and the joy he has being with her, is obvious. He has faith in her that she has the best intentions for him, he truly believes that all with be well regardless of the circumstances, and he knows that she is will protect him.
So maybe the Song of Songs does have something to offer beyond its racy content and deserves a bit more of my time to peruse its pages. I just need to be sure my grandson is not around looking over my shoulder as I am reading it.
A very, very Merry Christmas to all readers and writers at ACM. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to write for, and with, all of you. God bless.
