Reacting to Our Lover's Song

Advent Weekday – December 21

Song of Songs 2:8-14 OR Zephaniah 3:14-18a / Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 / Luke 1:39-45

Reacting to Our Lover’s Song

My first job was at a clothing store. Almost every day as I punched in Mario, one of the salesmen, would see me and break into a few lyrics or whistle the melody of “O Danny Boy.” While Mario had a lovely voice, and the song itself is beautiful, I really hated it. Even when my mother would play her organ at home and get to “O Danny Boy” in her medley of tunes I would go up to my room to get as far away from the song as I could. To this day I find the lilting notes of “O Danny Boy” annoying.

That is not the type of reaction the beloved had in the Song of Songs when she heard the sound of her lover’s voice or the thump of his footsteps. That is not the reaction of the remnant of Israel to the song Lord sang over them with gladness and joy in the alternative reading from Zephaniah.

In the Song of Songs the response is one of a lover’s longing being fulfilled. In Zephaniah the response is of a tired and weary but faithful people finding relief, rescue and redemption. The approaching feast of Christmas is about both of these reactions. As the invisible God is made visible, the longings of our human hearts are realized and all we could hope for in love is fulfilled; as the carol goes, “the hopes and fears of all the years are met” in Christ. 

The gospel speaks of still more leaping and rejoicing as John stirs in the womb of Elizabeth at the sound of Mary’s greeting. As Elizabeth speaks the words that have become part of our Marian devotion, “…blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb…” she is recognizing the fulfillment of Israel’s longing for its lover and savior. Elizabeth concludes with “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled…” Can we too count ourselves as blessed in our faith? Do we imitate the faith of Mary who believed the Lord’s word?

·         When was the last time you were filled with “joyful hope,” even excited anticipation, for a time to pray to God (to meet God)?

·         Imagine visiting Elizabeth and having her describe what it felt like to have her baby stir in her womb at the sound of her cousin Mary’s greeting.

·         Imagine a cousin or friend saying to you what Elizabeth said to Mary, “Blessed are you who believed that what the Lord said to you would be fulfilled?”What feelings and thoughts arise in you?

·         What has God promised to you that you look for? Is your response to God’s word more like the lover in the Song of Songs or like the remnant in Zephaniah?