THEOSISGregory of Nyssa
On the contrary, let us strive to follow the Word, as we seek to ascend with this perfect dove, rising to lofty heights, and to listen to the voices of the companions of the Bridegroom, who viewed her ascent from the wilderness as a marvel. This astonishment of the onlookers is heightened by the fact that such beauty can emerge from the desert, much like trees flourishing in arid land through the evaporation of fragrances, specifically smyrna and Lebanon. As these fragrances dissipate, refined particles of aroma ascend, creating a mixture that floats into the air. This is echoed in the scripture: "Who is this rising from the desert, like a stalk of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense, from all the spices of the world's Creator?" (Song of Solomon 3:6).
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Anyone who ponders these words thoughtfully will uncover the truth that our teachings imply.
Just as in remarkable performances where the same actors portray different roles, captivating the audience who perceive them as entirely distinct, so too, when individuals excel in virtue, they may not always retain their original attributes. Their yearning for greater goods transforms them, reflecting ‘glory upon glory’ (2 Cor. 3:18). Consequently, as each individual progresses in these virtues, a unique essence of life emerges, shifting from one to another, driven by the abundance of goodness. Thus, the Bridegroom's companions express their amazement at what they witness, having previously recognized the bride’s innate goodness and even her ‘goodness in wives,’ yet now perceive her differingly, adorned with beauty described as ‘the likeness of gold with variegated silver’ (Song of Songs 1:10). They are struck not only by her ascent but also by her origins.
This intensifies their wonder, as they observe her rising, likening her appearance to a grove of trees. To them, it seems as if they see ‘stalks’ stretching out and growing tall, although these stalks thrive not from fertile soil but from dry, desolate land. So, what nourishes these stalks, and how do they grow? Their foundation lies in the fragrant dust, with the moisture provided by the evaporation of aroma, which enriches this grove with incense. What profound praises dwell within these words about the one of whom such wonders are witnessed! The question posed by the Bridegroom's friends regarding her appearance in a transformed state from her previous self serves as the highest commendation of her virtuous excellence, highlighting a remarkable change for the better in the Bride.
The onlookers marvel at this blossoming beauty, which stands in stark contrast to her former state: “This one who came up from the wilderness,” acknowledged as dark, how did she shed her former hue? What has caused her face to shine? The wilderness itself seems to have been the catalyst, enabling the bride to rise, transforming her into this exquisite form. Her ascent was not the result of chance or folly; rather, it stemmed from her diligent efforts, restraint, and care that cultivated her beauty. Similarly, the Prophet’s soul thirsted for the Divine spring, as his ‘flesh’ became ‘empty, impassable, and waterless,’ experiencing the thirst of the Divine (Psalm 62:2). Thus, the bride, emerging from the wilderness, testifies to her journey of attentiveness and abstinence that has taken her to great heights, rendering her a marvel to the friends of the Bridegroom, who describe her beauty using various similitudes, recognizing that one analogy cannot capture the fullness.
Their first comparison draws her elegance to a ‘stem’ and not just one single stem, but the wonders manifested in her are likened to a multitude of trees, indicating the richness and diversity of virtues through the imagery of a grove. Additionally, the smoke of incense serves as an emblem of beauty, derived not simply from any source but dissolved from ‘smyrna’ and ‘Lebanon,’ thereby merging different pleasant vapors into one, through which the bride’s beauty is expressed. The harmonious blend of these fragrances represents a fresh commendation of her. Smyrna, often associated with burial rites, and Lebanon, treasured for its sacredness, signify that he who seeks to devote himself to God’s service must first embody humility, metaphorically ‘dying’ to worldly desires (Col. 3:5), having buried the One who willingly accepted death for us. In allowing this transformation, the virtues, ground down like grain in a mill, yield a sweet dust that fills the air, a fragrance from which one filled with the spirit of peace emerges.
What do these observations signify? It seems that divine beauty carries a dignity that becomes evident in juxtaposition with corporeal beauty. While physical allure pleases the eye and avoids any unsettling emotions that lead to lust, true beauty exhibits a fearsome and marvelous valor. The lustful cravings of the body, which emerge from human passions, ensnare the mind and often lead to a state of captivity—this is indeed hostile to God, for as the apostle states, the mindset governed by the flesh is enmity against God (Rom. 8:7). Thus, divine love must arise from the negation of physical desires; when the latter is dictated by restlessness and indulgence, it is the courage that threatens and drives away the allure of sensuality that becomes the sustenance of divine love. When noble bravery overcomes temptations of pleasure, the pure beauty of the soul is revealed, unmarred by earthly desires. This truth is underscored as the king's marriage bed is inevitably surrounded by valiant guards, whose martial prowess and readiness instill fear and awe in the dark thoughts that seek to ensnare the righteous in shadows (Psalm 10:2).