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.
