I like to use Readings from Cistercian writers on occasion. The Reading from the Missalette this morning seemed incomprehensible. No wonder, the prose is difficult. It is very crowded on the page as one it appeared in the manuscript of ‘The Song of Songs’ by John of Ford.
In fact it was composed in song or poetry and makes more sense in computer type setting.
A clue also is in the margins of the book, (On Song of Songs , Kalamazoo Michigan 1977, Sermon 7:2), inserting the Scripture references.
The powerful significance of the Sermons as the Lectio Divina of the monks and listening to the Scriptural knit-work by John of Ford.
“In spite of a certain amplitude or even prolixity, many of these sermons are surely equal to anything written by Guerric of Igny or Gilbert of Hoyland. …It would be difficult to find its match anything written by, say, Richard Rolle among the English Mystics”. (Fr. Hillary Costello, Introduction, John of Ford).
Even so the short passage takes some long pondering and it was helpful to find the following commentary.
“The Song of Songs is a collection of love poems, for the most part in the form of songs addressed by a man to a woman, and by a woman to a man. In some translations, the book is called The song of Solomon, because it is attributed to Solomon in the Hebrew. These songs have often been interpreted as a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church. (The holy Bible on introduction of the book of song of songs) Perhaps the most important outcome for readers of this book would be to draw them into their own meditation on the song of songs.
In fact, in his welcome, I suggests that the reading allow himself or herself to be transported beyond the words, into an experience with God. I keep my text short so as not to lead you too far away from the more enticing and expressive drawings. Do not hesitate to record your own feelings, thoughts and inspirations. But do not get caught up in words. They are products of our very limited minds. Rather, let the drawings draw and the sacred text invite you to realms beyond words, "what is the song of songs, this greatest song of all songs is about, spiritual commentary on the song of songs is meant not so much to be an academic commentary as it is an aid to contemplation.”
Br. Damian Junior. (Blog: In Persona Christi Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam)
The visual perspective of John of Ford suggests that modern presentation of verse, colour, graphics, could transform the text, as educators now using the persuasive technology of PowerPoint, PPT.
| Magnificat Missalette ( MEDITATION OF THE DAY John of Ford The Compassion of the Visitation Whoever is a bride of the Lord, whoever is a mother of Jesus, groans in sympathy with anyone groaning, and gives birth with her, and stands by her in her delivery. And when at last she has given birth, she ardently rejoices with her because a child is born into the world. It seems to her that she herself brought forth the child, and she cries out: 'To us a child is born, to us a son is given!" (Is 9:6) Surely, in days gone by, Mary was deeply moved by feelings like this when she went up with haste into the hills and from the sanctuary of God, her own heart, greeted Elizabeth, who was pregnant by God's grace. (Cf. Lk 1:39) Day uttered speech to day. (Ps 19:2 She met her with blessings of sweetness, (Cf. Ps 21:4) she took on the duty of a midwife and she turned the pangs of labor to a fruitful joy. For from that utterance of hers, fragrant beyond telling, it came about that John as well as Elizabeth drew in the inestimable sweetness of the perfume. What a good and careful midwife, who forestalled with such inexpressible happiness the approaching birth pangs of the mother and in addition the tears of the expectant baby as well! It was not only the womb of JOHN OF FORD John of Ford+ 1214) was the abbot of a Cistercian |
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