I preached a sermon series a few years ago on The Song of Songs (alternatively Song of Solomon). It’s an intriguing book, given that it reads like a love sonnet between a prospective bride and groom. God’s name is conspicuously absent from this eight-chapter love poem. I recall feeling awkward reading parts of this erotic poem aloud to the congregation. How did this obscure poem survive the cut to be included in the canon of Scripture by the early church? In my research, I kept running into homilies by Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1152). This French priest preached eighty-six sermons to his monastic community on the Song of Songs. What does a celibate monk living in a monastic community see in this love sonnet? Bernard interpreted it as a spiritual allegory depicting the relationship between God and his people. Bottom line for Bernard: God is deeply in love with his creation. God loves people passionately. That’s why Bernard goes to such lengths to remind fellow monks that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is intended to restore this love relationship. The words of John 3.16 feature prominently in Bernard’s eighty-six sermons, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…”
Let’s not beat ourselves up with the nagging thought that God is somehow disappointed with us. More to the point: God loves us. The following hymn attributed to Bernard reminds us that Jesus is the joy of loving hearts. How many times did I sing this prayer without thinking?
Bernard of Clairvaux
O Jesus, joy of loving hearts, thou font of life, thou light of men,
from fullest bliss that earth imparts,
we turn unfilled to thee again.
Thy truth unchanged has ever stood,
thou savest those that on thee call,
to them that seek thee, thou art good,
to them that find thee, all in all.
We taste thee, O thou living bread,
and long to feast upon thee still:
we drink of thee, the fountainhead,
and thirst our souls from thee to fill.
Our restless spirits yearn for thee,
where’er our changeful lot is cast,
glad that thy gracious smile we see,
blest that our faith can hold thee fast.
O Jesus, ever with us stay,
make all our moments calm and bright,
chase the dark night of sin away,
shed o’er the world thy holy light.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.