1 00:00:08,237 --> 00:00:09,417 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:38,467 --> 00:00:41,687 Speaker 2: And a scripture-based bonus series where experts walk us through 3 00:00:41,726 --> 00:00:45,307 Speaker 2: specific books of the Bible. Subscribe today for new videos 4 00:00:45,446 --> 00:00:45,887 Speaker 2: each week. 5 00:00:47,927 --> 00:00:53,567 Speaker 1: In a world that sometimes feels disconnected, transactional, or superficial, 6 00:00:54,297 --> 00:00:56,427 Speaker 1: I believe the Song of Solomon. 7 00:00:56,057 --> 00:00:58,776 Speaker 3: Is immortal, is eternal. 8 00:00:59,337 --> 00:01:03,277 Speaker 1: The Song of Solomon teaches us to love boldly, sincerely, 9 00:01:03,297 --> 00:01:07,086 Speaker 1: and joyfully, and in doing so, to discover something new. 10 00:01:07,357 --> 00:01:09,756 Speaker 1: eternal in each other. 11 00:01:11,867 --> 00:01:15,007 Speaker 2: Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus 12 00:01:15,027 --> 00:01:18,347 Speaker 2: Calling podcast, where we hear from Italian journalist and author 13 00:01:18,747 --> 00:01:21,487 Speaker 2: Aldo Cazzullo, who walks us through the Song of Solomon, 14 00:01:21,847 --> 00:01:25,417 Speaker 2: a book of deeply passionate and romantic poetry, which celebrates 15 00:01:25,517 --> 00:01:28,857 Speaker 2: love the way God designed it, to reflect his creative power. 16 00:01:32,777 --> 00:01:35,997 Speaker 1: I think the Bible is a holy book. But Bible 17 00:01:36,117 --> 00:01:42,157 Speaker 1: is also a cultural root, the foundation of the culture. 18 00:01:41,757 --> 00:01:45,707 Speaker 3: Of the so-called Western world. And Bible is also a 19 00:01:45,877 --> 00:01:47,447 Speaker 3: literary masterpiece. 20 00:01:48,387 --> 00:01:53,187 Speaker 1: Previous generations lived constantly under the eye of God. 21 00:01:54,507 --> 00:01:57,247 Speaker 3: For my parents, for my grandparents. 22 00:01:57,867 --> 00:02:02,377 Speaker 1: Faith was woven into the fabric of daily life, not 23 00:02:02,437 --> 00:02:03,597 Speaker 1: a ritual. 24 00:02:03,077 --> 00:02:04,717 Speaker 3: Reserved for special moments. 25 00:02:05,197 --> 00:02:09,037 Speaker 1: For Easter or for Christmas, for a funeral or for 26 00:02:09,087 --> 00:02:12,587 Speaker 1: a marriage, but a very important part in everyday life. 27 00:02:13,807 --> 00:02:19,626 Speaker 1: A continuous presence and source of strength, moral strength, moral resistance. 28 00:02:20,747 --> 00:02:24,267 Speaker 1: I believe we lose something essential when we let go 29 00:02:24,447 --> 00:02:29,007 Speaker 1: of that sense of daily spiritual rhythm by setting aside 30 00:02:29,067 --> 00:02:33,957 Speaker 1: just a little time every day for prayer, meditation, contemplation, 31 00:02:34,237 --> 00:02:38,716 Speaker 1: or reading the Bible, we recover that closeness, even if 32 00:02:38,837 --> 00:02:43,687 Speaker 1: only briefly, bringing focus and meaning to the rest of life. 33 00:02:44,347 --> 00:02:48,527 Speaker 1: Reading the Bible helps my hope and my faith. I 34 00:02:48,587 --> 00:02:50,907 Speaker 1: think Song of Songs, the Song of Solomon. 35 00:02:51,007 --> 00:02:51,787 Speaker 3: Is a mystery. 36 00:02:52,387 --> 00:02:56,607 Speaker 1: A text speaking about love, spiritual love, and also physical love, 37 00:02:56,967 --> 00:02:57,667 Speaker 1: is in the Bible. 38 00:03:01,307 --> 00:03:02,297 Speaker 3: I hope that when. 39 00:03:02,217 --> 00:03:04,997 Speaker 1: We read the Song of Solomon today, you approach it 40 00:03:05,017 --> 00:03:11,677 Speaker 1: with openness and curiosity. The opposite of ignorance is not culture, 41 00:03:11,817 --> 00:03:12,596 Speaker 1: it's curiosity. 42 00:03:13,677 --> 00:03:15,517 Speaker 3: Often the Bible is read as a book of. 43 00:03:15,457 --> 00:03:20,907 Speaker 1: Rules or distant history, but I believe these pages, and 44 00:03:20,967 --> 00:03:28,467 Speaker 1: especially the song, are bursting with life and beauty. Savor 45 00:03:28,707 --> 00:03:34,107 Speaker 1: the language of the imagery and the sheer celebration of love, 46 00:03:34,667 --> 00:03:36,387 Speaker 1: both spiritual love. 47 00:03:36,327 --> 00:03:37,147 Speaker 3: And physical love. 48 00:03:38,907 --> 00:03:41,967 Speaker 1: I think there is a little lesson here about how 49 00:03:42,047 --> 00:03:50,307 Speaker 1: we view our own bodies, relationships and emotional connections. In 50 00:03:50,327 --> 00:03:55,847 Speaker 1: a time where we often separate the physical self from 51 00:03:56,047 --> 00:04:02,007 Speaker 1: the spiritual, the Song of Solomon reminds us that our 52 00:04:02,107 --> 00:04:09,867 Speaker 1: capacity for love and deep affection is itself sacred, blessed 53 00:04:09,927 --> 00:04:15,027 Speaker 1: by God. Our relationships can and should be places where 54 00:04:15,307 --> 00:04:20,637 Speaker 1: the divine is present. The enduring wisdom of the song 55 00:04:21,037 --> 00:04:27,436 Speaker 1: lies in its radical affirmation. Love is a core part 56 00:04:28,236 --> 00:04:33,556 Speaker 1: of who we are And a force stronger than death itself. 57 00:04:35,037 --> 00:04:38,376 Speaker 3: It's not as strong as death. It's stronger than death. 58 00:04:39,736 --> 00:04:43,496 Speaker 1: When you open the Song of Solomon, you'll encounter a 59 00:04:43,517 --> 00:04:50,577 Speaker 1: collection of deeply passionate, romantic poetry. Unlike anything else in 60 00:04:50,616 --> 00:04:55,037 Speaker 1: the Bible and in all the literature. I describe this 61 00:04:55,387 --> 00:05:00,056 Speaker 1: unique text as a celebration of love. one that fully 62 00:05:00,097 --> 00:05:06,626 Speaker 1: embraces both its spiritual and physical dimensions. The Song of 63 00:05:06,666 --> 00:05:12,087 Speaker 1: Solomon stands out because it doesn't impose rules. Instead, it 64 00:05:12,126 --> 00:05:16,147 Speaker 1: gives voice to the intimate longing and admiration between two lovers, 65 00:05:16,647 --> 00:05:23,087 Speaker 1: if verses are among the most beautiful ever written. Anchored 66 00:05:23,126 --> 00:05:29,166 Speaker 1: by the assertion that love is strong as death, The 67 00:05:29,226 --> 00:05:33,717 Speaker 1: line that love is as strong as death encapsulates how 68 00:05:33,777 --> 00:05:38,517 Speaker 1: deeply our bones of affection resonate and endure. It's a 69 00:05:38,537 --> 00:05:42,416 Speaker 1: book that never ceases to charm its readers and to 70 00:05:42,527 --> 00:05:47,387 Speaker 1: inspire other artistic works, masterpieces, paintings, classic music, also movies. 71 00:05:47,827 --> 00:05:50,426 Speaker 3: And when I read the Song of Solomon, I find a. 72 00:05:50,467 --> 00:05:55,357 Speaker 1: Text that completely embraces the full spectrum of love. This 73 00:05:55,416 --> 00:05:59,416 Speaker 1: book stands as a triumphant ode because it does not 74 00:05:59,657 --> 00:06:04,456 Speaker 1: shy away from the physical and emotional realities of human love. 75 00:06:05,257 --> 00:06:09,377 Speaker 1: It teaches that romantic passion and desire are beautiful, are 76 00:06:09,416 --> 00:06:14,317 Speaker 1: not a sin, are sacred. The poetry celebrates a romantic 77 00:06:14,457 --> 00:06:18,597 Speaker 1: intimacy between a man and a woman, presenting it as 78 00:06:18,676 --> 00:06:22,587 Speaker 1: something not to be hidden or shamed, but as a 79 00:06:22,626 --> 00:06:24,647 Speaker 1: reflection of the divine. 80 00:06:24,207 --> 00:06:28,657 Speaker 3: Image in which we are created. Because our faith is 81 00:06:28,697 --> 00:06:29,436 Speaker 3: the faith of God. 82 00:06:36,416 --> 00:06:40,046 Speaker 2: These uncertain times bring anxiety and fear. But Jesus Listens 83 00:06:40,106 --> 00:06:43,007 Speaker 2: Prayers for Every Season gives you daily prayers of comfort. 84 00:06:43,887 --> 00:06:48,226 Speaker 2: With seasonally inspired illustrations, this beautiful book includes prayers that 85 00:06:48,267 --> 00:06:51,336 Speaker 2: speak to your situation, whether it's a time of stress 86 00:06:51,556 --> 00:06:55,497 Speaker 2: or strength. Look for Jesus Listens Prayers for every season, 87 00:06:55,736 --> 00:06:56,856 Speaker 2: wherever you buy books. 88 00:07:01,767 --> 00:07:05,467 Speaker 1: I sing the Sarno Salmon as revealing the deeper love 89 00:07:05,546 --> 00:07:11,367 Speaker 1: between God and His people. For centuries, these passionate verses 90 00:07:11,407 --> 00:07:15,647 Speaker 1: have acted as a powerful allegory for the relationship between 91 00:07:15,687 --> 00:07:20,027 Speaker 1: the human soul and the divine, a longing, a pursuit, 92 00:07:20,066 --> 00:07:24,287 Speaker 1: and a delight in intimacy. The boundary between physical and 93 00:07:24,357 --> 00:07:26,037 Speaker 1: spiritual love. 94 00:07:26,217 --> 00:07:28,877 Speaker 3: Is not as rigid as we imagine. 95 00:07:29,577 --> 00:07:33,756 Speaker 1: By embracing both, the song shows us that. 96 00:07:33,377 --> 00:07:35,177 Speaker 3: At their best. 97 00:07:35,877 --> 00:07:39,756 Speaker 1: Our human connection is a glimpse of how devoted, personal 98 00:07:39,797 --> 00:07:46,977 Speaker 1: and loving our relationship with God might be. If the 99 00:07:47,037 --> 00:07:51,417 Speaker 1: great mystery why this kind of love belongs in Scripture 100 00:07:52,047 --> 00:07:54,787 Speaker 1: We don't know exactly, but I think I understand why 101 00:07:54,887 --> 00:07:57,807 Speaker 1: so many are surprised to encounter the romance and passion 102 00:07:57,847 --> 00:08:01,547 Speaker 1: of the Song of Solomon inside Scripture. At first glance, 103 00:08:01,657 --> 00:08:06,657 Speaker 1: it might seem jarring. Most people expect commandments, laws, stories, 104 00:08:06,816 --> 00:08:10,396 Speaker 1: ancient battles. Yet to me, the presence of this poetry 105 00:08:10,417 --> 00:08:14,727 Speaker 1: within the Bible is not accidental, but essential. I see 106 00:08:14,737 --> 00:08:18,527 Speaker 1: the Bible not just as a rule book or collection 107 00:08:19,227 --> 00:08:26,497 Speaker 1: of doctrines. but as the comprehensive autobiography of God and humanity. 108 00:08:27,316 --> 00:08:31,557 Speaker 1: It holds a mirror up to every aspect of human existence, 109 00:08:31,967 --> 00:08:36,906 Speaker 1: including the joy, the desire, and vulnerability that come with 110 00:08:36,947 --> 00:08:43,007 Speaker 1: romantic love. Including such an unabashed celebration of love tells 111 00:08:43,087 --> 00:08:45,927 Speaker 1: us that God values not only our spiritual life, but 112 00:08:46,007 --> 00:08:46,987 Speaker 1: also our. 113 00:08:47,127 --> 00:08:52,377 Speaker 3: Emotional and physical experience. The Song of Solomon teaches. 114 00:08:52,017 --> 00:08:56,017 Speaker 1: That the human body, desire, and intimacy are not separate 115 00:08:56,097 --> 00:09:00,917 Speaker 1: from the divine, but in fact reflect God's creative power. 116 00:09:01,637 --> 00:09:06,697 Speaker 1: I love an Italian poet, Dante, who imagines to travel 117 00:09:06,857 --> 00:09:09,337 Speaker 1: in afterlife to discover. 118 00:09:08,877 --> 00:09:11,797 Speaker 3: Hell, purgatory, and heaven, paradise. 119 00:09:12,197 --> 00:09:15,937 Speaker 1: At the end of his travel, he asks to see 120 00:09:16,277 --> 00:09:19,497 Speaker 1: the face of God. God says, yes, okay, it's me. 121 00:09:20,077 --> 00:09:25,337 Speaker 1: Dante don't remember the face of God. All'alta fantasia qui 122 00:09:25,407 --> 00:09:30,707 Speaker 1: manco possa. It means a man cannot describe God. But 123 00:09:31,007 --> 00:09:35,887 Speaker 1: Dante knows he has seen God. And he remembers one thing. 124 00:09:36,707 --> 00:09:41,407 Speaker 1: In God's face, I saw my face. Because I and 125 00:09:41,607 --> 00:09:45,417 Speaker 1: all the mankind, we are created by God. And we 126 00:09:45,477 --> 00:09:48,397 Speaker 1: have our face is the face of God. And we 127 00:09:48,437 --> 00:09:51,947 Speaker 1: can recognize God. in the face of other people. We 128 00:09:52,017 --> 00:09:55,777 Speaker 1: can see God in the eyes of people we love. 129 00:09:56,037 --> 00:09:58,397 Speaker 1: This is the lesson of the Bible. This is the 130 00:09:58,437 --> 00:10:03,227 Speaker 1: lesson of the Song of Solomon. In a world that 131 00:10:03,287 --> 00:10:09,457 Speaker 1: sometimes feels disconnected, transactional, or superficial, I believe this book 132 00:10:09,717 --> 00:10:14,147 Speaker 1: urges us to invest more fully in the bonds that matter, 133 00:10:15,067 --> 00:10:19,467 Speaker 1: to treasure intimacy, and to seek the presence of. 134 00:10:19,467 --> 00:10:22,367 Speaker 3: Beauty in our everyday lives. 135 00:10:23,367 --> 00:10:27,177 Speaker 1: No matter the year, The Song of Solomon is immortal, 136 00:10:27,957 --> 00:10:33,197 Speaker 1: is eternal. The Song of Solomon teaches us to love boldly, sincerely, 137 00:10:33,237 --> 00:10:38,157 Speaker 1: and joyfully, and in doing so, to discover something eternal 138 00:10:39,037 --> 00:10:39,717 Speaker 1: in each other. 139 00:10:42,457 --> 00:10:45,537 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to this special Scripture-focused bonus episode. 140 00:10:45,837 --> 00:10:48,697 Speaker 2: To learn more about Aldo, follow him on social media, 141 00:10:49,037 --> 00:10:51,037 Speaker 2: and be sure to check out his book, The God 142 00:10:51,057 --> 00:10:55,627 Speaker 2: of Our Fathers, available at your favorite retailers. Enjoy our 143 00:10:55,667 --> 00:10:58,847 Speaker 2: entire series of scripture studies, each with different Bible teachers 144 00:10:58,907 --> 00:11:02,787 Speaker 2: and experts, guiding us through specific books, topics, and people 145 00:11:02,827 --> 00:11:06,527 Speaker 2: in the Bible, on the Jesus Calling YouTube channel. To 146 00:11:06,567 --> 00:11:12,067 Speaker 2: discover more inspiring stories of faith, visit jesuscalling.com slash podcast. 147 00:11:18,867 --> 00:11:21,347 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith 148 00:11:21,387 --> 00:11:25,247 Speaker 2: podcast on the Life Audio Network. Every week we'll bring 149 00:11:25,267 --> 00:11:27,827 Speaker 2: you stories from people who share their journeys of faith 150 00:11:28,287 --> 00:11:31,867 Speaker 2: and how prayer and a relationship with God transformed their lives. 151 00:11:32,767 --> 00:11:36,087 Speaker 2: Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or 152 00:11:36,137 --> 00:11:39,437 Speaker 2: wherever you listen to podcasts. And leave us a review 153 00:11:39,497 --> 00:11:43,677 Speaker 2: so others can be inspired weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, 154 00:11:44,017 --> 00:11:47,457 Speaker 2: you can find encouragement, resources, and more on the Jesus 155 00:11:47,497 --> 00:11:49,737 Speaker 2: Calling website at jesuscalling.com.