M. Basil Pennington, ocso
Illustrated by Phillip Ratner
Let Your Deepest Soul Rejoice!
You are the Beloved of the Divine Lover.
You are loved with a love beyond that which human words can
express, which song and pen seek in some way to convey or at
least hint at. Let go. Let the currents of love invade you. Let
your deepest soul rejoice.…
—from the Preface
In the tradition of Christian mysticism,
including Bernard of Clairvaux, Gregory the Great, and Ambrose
of Milan, M. Basil Pennington shares his reflections on the
Bible’s most challenging mystical text, the ancient love
poem that is the Song of Songs. In this extraordinary volume, Pennington is
joined by the profound Jewish artist Phillip Ratner, whose
inspired works call forth from Pennington not only transcendent
prayer and rich analogy but also the deepest sentiments that
are common to every human mind and heart.
Pennington reflects on the ways you can
use the Song of Songs to fulfill your own unutterable aspirations.
Enriched by Jewish and Christian faith, the drawings and
meditations speak to you and every person who desires to
connect with their deepest, most human longings. Allow yourself
to let go and delve into the poetry of Song of Songs, to find joy
in the boundless love of God for you, the beloved child. Allow
yourself to experience this story of love—human love
yearning for the Divine.
"A rich resource for meditation, Fr.
Pennington’s poetic translations and piercing reflections
combine with Jewish artist Ratner’s graphics to elucidate
how this wonderful love poem can unlock the mystery of human
engagement with God. This book could help a new generation of
saints discover the wisdom contemplatives of the Middle Ages
discerned in the Song of Songs’ depiction of human
intimacy in its earthiness and sublimity."
—E. Glenn
Hinson, professor emeritus, Baptist
Theological Seminary at Richmond
"A paean of reverence for what may be
the holiest book in the Hebrew Bible, written by a man who is
surely one of the most spiritually gifted teachers of our
generation. Through his own poetic ruminations, Father Basil
deftly leads us into that mysterious place where romance
embraces the sacred."
—Rabbi
Lawrence Kushner, Emanu-El Scholar,
Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco; author, Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for
Christians, and other books on
spirituality
