Today’s first reading from Song of Songs is a well-known but not so well understood book of the bible. The poem highlights the power and intensity of love. Like fire, love can destroy people if abused or be life-giving if it’s protected. Ultimately, love expresses the human longing to know and be fully known and desired by another. Love is one of the most inspirational and mysterious experiences in human life, and this book says it is a gift from God.

In Jewish tradition each character is a symbol. The woman is Israel, the man is God and their love is the symbol of the covenant between God and Israel made at Mt. Sinai. This view flowed into the Christian tradition, so it’s about Christ’s love for his people, the Church. In Paul’s words in Ephesians 5: 23-25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her.”

The song holds out hope that even though our own relationships are so often distorted by selfishness, love is a magnificent gift. Just like God’s love that will one day filter through and transform his beloved and beautiful world.