Evenings with Bede: S2, Ep. 19

Evenings With Bede is a homily podcast. The episodes are taken from the Sunday solemn Plainsong Evensong services of Saint Paul’s, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., where I am Rector. SEASON TWO is devoted to understanding the Song of Songs with the Venerable S. Bede as teacher, and yours truly as interpreter. We will go verse by verse through the entirety of the Song of Songs.The format is a short passage from the Song of Songs, then comes commentary from the Bede, and finally an interpretive homily by yours truly expounding upon both. The audio for all three is found above. The text of the two passages is found below. A Lesson from the Song of Songs, 1.12While the King was on His dining couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance. My Beloved is to me a bundle of myrrh that shall lie between my breasts. My Bloved is to me a grape-cluster from Cyprus in the vineyards of Engaddi.A Lesson from a Treatise by the Venerable S. BedeThe Bride speaks as says, “My Beloved is to me a bundle of myrrh that shall lie between my breasts,” and we read that this was fulfilled according to the letter for the sake of our salvation when, after His passion was complete and His Body had been taken down from the Cross, “Nicodemus came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds, and they took His Body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices” (Jn 19:39-40). The Church’s beloved, therefore, became a bundle of myrrh when the Lord was covered with myrrh and aloes and enfolded in linen cloths; clearly He lies between the Bride’s breasts when the Church in her inmost heart meditates unceasingly on the death of her Redeemer. For who does not know that the heart is located between the breasts? And the bundle of myrrh will lie between the Bride’s breasts whenever any soul dedicated to God attentively remembers that apostolic saying that “those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified their flesh with its vices and desires” (Gal 5:24) and is eager (as far as she is able) to imitate His death, by which she knows herself to be redeemed. If you find this edifying, please consider (if you haven’t already) becoming a paid subscriber. Your support goes directly to supporting the ministry of Akenside Institute for English Spirituality, a project I started 12 years ago. Get full access to Anglican Ascetic Podcast at frmcdallman.substack.com/subscribe