Memories of Eden
There is a longing in every human heart that we sense but often cannot name. I believe it is the longing to return home to Eden, to friendship and communion with God. In my prayer, I began asking the Holy Spirit to help me name this ache and envision Eden. The following reflection is the fruit of my prayer and reading of the Prologue to the Song of Songs.
May our Divine Bridegroom, Jesus, lead us to the true fulfillment of our hearts’ desire… union with Him for all eternity in Heaven. Amen.
1:1 The Song of Songs which is Solomon’s
The Bride
1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.
Your love is more delightful than wine;
1:3 delicate is the fragrance of your perfume,
your name is an oil poured out,
and that is why the maidens love you.
1:4 Draw me in your footsteps, let us run.
The King has brought me into his rooms;
you will be our joy and our gladness.
We shall praise your love above wine;
how right it is to love you.
The Bride Remembers
The Prologue
Many lifetimes ago, He kissed me with the kisses of His mouth and breathed life into my flesh and bones. He loved me into being! Oh what extraordinary love – love more delightful than wine. Even now, the scent of spring rain, of the blossoming grape vines, of the ripe apples draws my heart and mind back to His Garden. Yes, the Garden in springtime is the delicate fragrance of His perfume.
How we delighted in one another and in the beauty of His creation. I can still see the pride and delight in His eyes as He lovingly watched as I danced and played amongst the creatures and flowers He had created just for me. My delight and joy was His delight and joy. I would sing His name and the sound swirled through the air like sweet-scented oil caressing the skin. His name above all names is an oil poured out that soothes and softens all it touches.
I would call to Him and before I had finished speaking, He was there by my side. “Draw me in Your footsteps,” I would say to Him and He would laugh and say “Let us run!” What joy and gladness filled and overflowed from us as we ran barefoot through the morning dew-kissed grass. Our laughter and the song of the birds greeted the waking ears of every living creature there in the Garden. We were home there in the Garden. He was our home; Our Creator, our Father, our Lord, and our King.
He loved all He had created, but for me, He had a special tenderness. He brought me into His rooms and shared the secrets of His Heart with me. And how I praised Him! I praised His love above wine. How could I not! With my whole being I knew it was right to love Him.
My memories of Eden, of my home in paradise with Him, are still so vivid even after generations of exile. My heart will never forget and my soul will never cease longing to return.
How long, O God, how long until I may return to the Garden?
With all my heart, all my mind, and all my soul, I love You and desire to come home to You.
A Daughter of Eve
Copyright 2023 – Laura Ercolino