THEOSISAmbrose of Milan
The depths and heights of the Word become apparent to the soul that turns towards it. Hence, the soul proclaims, I am united with my Brother, and His call is directed toward me. This sentiment is echoed three times in the Song of Songs. The first instance states: My beloved is mine, and I am His; He grazes among the lilies while day breaks and the shadows depart (Songs 2:16-17). The second declares: I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine; He grazes among the lilies (Song 6:3). Finally, it concludes with: I am my Brother’s, and to me belongs His turning back. Initially, this reflects the soul's yearning for communion with the Divine, indicated by the assertion: my Brother belongs to me—showing the soul's desire for unity with God.
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Next comes a deeper advance, leading to the third stage of fulfillment. At the first stage, pertaining to the soul's positioning, it still perceives shadows (Song 2:17) and has yet to be moved by the revelation of the imminent Word, hence the dawn of evangelization has not yet illuminated it. In the second stage, unimpeded and devoid of shadow, it begins to absorb divine goodness (Song 1:12, Song 4:10-11). In the final stage, now perfected, the soul prepares a refuge for the Word within herself (Song 8:2), inviting Him to approach, bow His Head, and find rest with her. Having finally located what she sought so diligently, she welcomes Him into her fields, saying, Come, my Brother, let us venture into the fields, let us rest in the villages (Song 7:12).