Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Beloved Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother conceived you. There she was in labor and bore you.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 5. Flowing. Thus speak the companions of the spouse; and the bridegroom, turning to her alone, reminds her of an adventure. The Jews would put this in the mouth of the spouse. Calmet.—Corrupted. Hebrew and Septuagint “fell in labour, there she was delivered who bore thee.” Bible.—Christ redeemed Eve, who had been seduced to eat the forbidden fruit, and by his sacred blood on the cross, awoke and healed our fallen nature. Calmet.—The court of heaven admires the Church of the Gentiles, and every pious soul ascending from this world, particularly the blessed Virgin. The synagogue was corrupt, when she called for the death of the Son of God, and said, His blood be upon us, and so forth We have no king but Cæsar. Worthington.—Grace must go before, that our free-will may also walk forward. Menochius.