THEOSISGregory of Nyssa
The bride's additional remarks, though they may initially seem somber, ultimately have the same purpose and reflect a journey upward towards the divine. She expresses, "The sentinels who patrol the city found me; they struck me, they chastised me, they took away my cloak, the keepers of the walls." These may appear to convey a sense of mourning rather than joy; phrases like "strike me, chastise me, take away my cloak" could lead one to think so. Yet, to someone discerning the true essence of these words, they emerge as the expressions of one exalted in glory. This context clarifies her situation.
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Earlier, Scriptures testify to the bride's purity, stating, "My garments are taken off; how shall I don them again?" Here, it is noted that the upper garment, which covered her head and face, was also removed, similar to the account of Rebekah (Genesis 24:65). Thus, how can she, who appears entirely bare of clothing, still possess an upper robe that the guards now seize? It is evident that this implies her elevation to a higher state since she is now far purer than before, suggesting that after shedding her old attire, she continues to uncover aspects of herself that can still be set aside in pursuit of greater purity. This ascent to divine heights reveals a more radiant existence than what she has previously encountered. Hence, the metaphorical nakedness of her attire, when compared with her current state of purity, is stripped away by those who discover her, represented as the “guardians who patrol the city,” with the city symbolizing the soul. From this turmoil and affliction, it is through the loss of the upper veil that the eye is unclouded to behold the desired beauty.
Paul affirms this transformation, stating, "But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is lifted. Now, the Lord is the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:16-17). It is clear to any discerning individual that the actions which lead to goodness are inherently good. Therefore, the removal of the veil is beneficial, and thus the blows and afflictions, which facilitate this removal, are also advantageous. While these expressions may reflect the discomfort of "strike me, wound me," it is essential to explore their biblical use for insight. How does Wisdom save the youthful soul from death? Wisdom herself addresses this: "If you strike him with a rod, he does not die; you will strike him, and you will save his soul from death" (Proverbs 23:13-14). So, the term “striking” may be interpreted in the context of “immortality,” for without the rod, salvation from death is not achieved. The worthiness of being struck becomes apparent—as it is a profound act to rescue a soul from death. According to the Prophet, God does the same, imparting life to what is dying and healing what is afflicted, as it is written, "I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal" (Deuteronomy 32:39). David also affirmed that such a rod does not merely inflict pain but provides comfort, declaring, "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).
Through them unfolds the orchestration of the Divine banquet, encompassing the blessings of abundant grace: the oil on the head, the fine wine in the cup, both leading to genuine repose and an outpouring of divine favor. If such tribulations yield profound rewards, it is good to endure the strikes from which these blessings arise. However, let us reflect on a point preceding the current discourse. The notion of "passing away," as it applies to the bride yearning for unity with Him, does not signify abandonment but serves instead to draw her closer. The bride exclaims, "My soul has gone out into His word," indicating an emerging from her former state to be discovered among the city’s watchmen. If it claims to have been found by thieves, recognizing its perilous state, what a challenge it is to be seized in such a moment. For "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). Yet, if found by "the watchmen who patrol the city,” it indeed becomes a cause for immense blessing, since a watchman’s discovery protects from robbers.
Who are these guardians? Are they not the divine servants of the One who keeps watch over Israel (Psalms 121:4)? He guards and covers, shielding the faithful (Psalms 121:5) and is entrusted with safeguarding souls from all harm (Psalms 121:7). This guardian of entry and exit (Psalms 121:8) is the protector from perils, also affirming, "Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain" (Psalms 127:1). Hence, those "ministering spirits sent forth to serve those who will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14) are recognized under the designation of “guardians” who patrol the soul. The soul itself, as cherished dwelling of God, is found by these watchers, akin to that lost sheep discovered by the Good Shepherd, prompting rejoicing among the angelic hosts. Similarly, the lost coin rejoices in being found, drawing delight from its worth. Even David the servant of the Lord has been found because God declares, "I have found David my servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him" (Psalm 89:21). The blessings conferred upon him include divine protection and the promise of victory over his adversaries (Psalm 89:22), along with an abundance of further grace (Psalm 33:8).
Being found by the angels who surround the soul reveals an extraordinary truth. The claim "the guards have struck me" demonstrates the bride's advancement in her spiritual journey towards fulfillment. In stating that she bears wounds, she illustrates the transformative effects imprinted upon her by the Divine rod. The working of this spiritual rod is profound; the scars become a testimony of the encounters endured, where the bride finds pride in the marks of her struggles. It parallels the divine rod and comforting staff the Spirit employs, yielding healing through strikes and nurturing the virtues within her life, much like Paul, who bore the “marks of Jesus” in his body (Galatians 6:17).
Thus revealed to us is the paradox of the bride’s upper garment being taken away, unveiling the exquisite beauty of her soul, no longer obscured. In summarizing, the soul that aspires to God perceives an enduring longing for unblemished beauty, which continually renders a deeper desire for the divine, prompting her to pursue the depth of that divine encounter, ever aware that what is eternally attained is far more exquisite than what was previously gained. Paul exemplifies this as he dies to himself daily (1 Corinthians 15:31), relinquishing the past to embrace a new life. Consequently, the bride hastens towards her Beloved, finding no cessation in striving for greater virtue, breathing forth sweet fragrances even amidst trials. She offers sustenance to the Creator through her own fruits and yields an abundant source of "living water." According to divine proclamation, she stands “all good” and without blemish, radiating glory as she anticipates the presence of the Word made flesh, whose essence is rich with vitality. She readies herself, washing her feet, shedding her veil, and pouring forth myrrh from her hands. Reaching for the key to her heart, she opens the passage, seeking the elusive One and fervently calling out to the uncatchable. The guards discover her, imparting upon her the rod of correction, striking like the stone, from which life flows (Psalm 17:20). Observe the heights to which the bride ascends; like Moses struck the rock, she endures the blows that empower her to refresh the thirsty with divine nourishment borne from her trials. And as the guards uncover her upper garment, the beauty of her countenance shines forth. Herein lies the understanding we may draw. Let us not envy those who, aided by the Divine Revelator, find deeper truths in this passage. Others may resonate with the vision of Isaiah, who beheld the glory of God upon the death of the king, witnessing a majestic sight that evaded full comprehension.
Isaiah, upon encountering those celestial beings, noted only their hymn, as “the door above was raised and the temple was filled with smoke” (Isaiah 6:4). One of the Seraphim touched his lips with a burning coal, purifying him for prophecy, much like the bride who asserts that she was "struck and scourged" by the guardians, thereby released from her upper veil. The Seraphim and the coal serve as metaphors for the processes of revelation and sanctification. For both the bride and the Prophet, the goal remains the same—purity. Just as the Prophet finds no anguish in the purifying fire, but rather enlightenment, so too does the bride rejoice in the embrace of trials that yield greater boldness and the lifting of the veil, referred to as the upper garment.
Moreover, one might find another layer of meaning in this passage. The soul venturing "into His word," yearning for the intangible, acknowledges through these "guards" her desire for the unattainable and her longing for the infinite. In this sense, they provoke both a challenge and a recognition of her insatiable yearning, realizing that true satisfaction lies not in acquisition, but in the pursuit itself. Once the cloak of despair is cast aside, her soul can see the glorious beauty of her Beloved, eternally perfect and beyond measure, igniting a profound desire that she communicates to the Beloved through the daughters of Jerusalem. Struck by God's chosen arrow, she finds herself wounded by faith and love, resonating with the truth that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). To Him belongs eternal glory and majesty. Amen.