Today, I continue to read "Song of Songs" with the help of Bernard of Clairveaux, the 12th century mystic. Bernard, like all the early interpreters, Jewish and Christian, saw in the SOS a metaphor of love between God (Christ) and His people. Regarding the "kiss" so frequently mentioned in SOS, Bernard says, "any one who has received this mystical kiss from the mouth of Christ at least once, seeks again that intimate experience, and eagerly looks for its frequent renewal. I think that nobody can grasp what it is except the one who receives it. For it is 'a hidden manna,' and only he who eats it still hungers for more."

But Bernard does not think that one can immediately kiss Christ on the mouth, which represents the epitome of intimacy with the Lord. No, instead, he says, "I do not wish to be suddenly on the heights, my desire is to advance by degrees." Advance by degrees. One begins as a repentant sinner, prostrate before Christ, kissing only His feet. Then one rises a bit and kisses Christ on the hands. After Christ forgives the repentant sinner, by His hand He helps us up and sustains us, so that we may not, like a dog, return to our vomit (says Bernard). Therefore, we kiss the hand that sustains us.

Only then are we ready for the intimacy the kiss on the lips represents. "Once you have had this twofold experience of God's benevolence in these two kisses, you need no longer feel abashed in aspiring to a holier intimacy. ...It is my belief that to a person so disposed, God will not refuse that most intimate kiss of all, a mystery of supreme generosity and ineffable sweetness." Again, as Bernard sees this, "first, we cast ourselves at his feet, we weep before the Lord who made us, deploring the evil we have done. Then we reach out for the hand that will lift us up, that will steady our trembling knees. And finally, when we shall have obtained these favors through many prayers and tears, we humbly dare to raise our eyes to his mouth, so divinely beautiful, not merely to gaze upon it, but I say it with fear and trembling - to receive its kiss."

You may read the whole sermon from which these thoughts come at: http://glorifyhisname.com/sys-tmpl/b5/

Where do you need to be in this progression today?