Your Name Is Like Poured-Out Perfume

Main Idea

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III reflects on the verse from the Song of Songs: “Your name is like perfume poured out; therefore the virgins love You.” He explains that God’s name is like poured-out perfume whose beautiful fragrance spreads everywhere, refreshes the soul, and fills the heart with joy. The Lord’s name is beloved by His children, and repeating it brings spiritual delight, peace, and happiness to the soul.

Spiritual Message

• The name of the Lord is a strong tower to which a person can flee during times of distress. It is a source of strength and reassurance; it terrifies demons and gives strength to the saints.
• God’s name should always be present on our lips in our prayers, worship, reading, and daily lives. We should begin our activities in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• The Pope explains that the Song of Songs speaks about divine love, not worldly love, which is characterized by selfishness and the desire for possession.
• The virgins mentioned in the Song represent souls that are not occupied by another love that competes with or hinders their love for God. Instead, they have made God everything in their lives.
• This is spiritual virginity, not merely physical virginity. Therefore, it includes both married and celibate people. The entire Church has also been compared to a chaste virgin presented to Christ.
• A person who loves God does not want to keep this love to himself alone. Instead, he rejoices when everyone loves God and strives to lead others to Him, just as the Samaritan woman and the apostles did.

Educational Lesson

At its core, the spiritual life is love. Prayer, fasting, reading and memorizing the Bible, service, and preaching all lose their value if they do not come from a heart that loves God. The Pope emphasizes that loving God and having a spiritually virgin heart are closely connected. Whoever loves God with all their heart becomes spiritually devoted to Him, and whoever empties their heart of every love that competes with God’s love can remain steadfast in that love.

Practical Application

• Keep God’s name constantly on your lips and in your heart, and begin every activity in the name of the Holy Trinity.
• Ask God to draw you closer to Him and free you from every love that hinders your relationship with Him.
• Do not be satisfied with loving God alone; strive to help others know Him and love Him with you.
• Do not stop at the beginning of the spiritual journey. Instead, run after Christ with seriousness and dedication, without turning back.
• Ask God to draw your family and everyone around you closer to Him, so that you may all follow Him together and experience fellowship, joy, and peace with Him.

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