Tuesday, December 21, 2021

 

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Song of Songs 2:8-14; Luke 1:39-45)

The Song of Songs has always held a special status.  It was written as a love poem.  Two young persons seek to be with one another.  Their love transcends sexual attraction, however.  They desire to be only with each other, presumably for life.  Being allegorized, the poem has been accepted into the Canon of Scripture.  Jews see it demonstrating God’s love for His people.  Similarly, Christians understand it as Christ’s love for the Church.  

Today’s reading from the Song of Songs pictures the lover crossing mountains to find his beloved.  It parallels the gospel where Mary, pregnant with Jesus, crosses into the hill country.  She goes ostensibly to support her elderly kinswoman Elizabeth, who is also with child.  Loves converge in various ways.  Mary shows love for Elizabeth.  God has shown love for His people by sending a Savior.  John, Elizabeth’s child, shows love for Jesus with a leap for joy.  Elizabeth expresses love for Mary by calling her “blessed.”

Love knows various levels.  On a basic level we choose to be with people whom we find interesting.  On a higher plane we collaborate with people to meet our objectives in life.  On the highest level we love people for who they are in themselves.  These include our relatives, who share common traits, and our friends, who deepen our lives with meaning.  Christmas shows God great love for us.  It also allows us to express our love for others.

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