Have You Seen the One I Love: Contemplations on the Song of Songs

by البابا شنودة الثالث, Pope Shenouda III

Pope Shenouda draws upon his many years of contemplation as a monk in the ancient desert of Scetis, Egypt to develop his commentary on the human soul. A true Alexandrian father, descendent from Sts. Athanasius, Clement and Cyril, His Holiness employs the Song of Songs to provide the blueprint of our quest for love and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The book is a translation and transcription of a lecture series given by Pope Shenouda in the 1970s. As a lecture series, it draws one in as if His Holiness were conversing directly with the reader. The imagery that prevails invokes the mind to travel to Egypt to visit with this desert monk. He encourages the reader to share in his prayers, asks the reader questions, and invites us to join him on his journey of discovering the soul. The main focus of the book is to meditate on the human soul while she searches for her Beloved. It is only with an understanding of our spirituality that we may embark on our voyage leading to our Lord.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction

332 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

The 117th Pope and Patriarch of the Church of Alexandria.

Reviews

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I think his holiness is a poet. He knows how to use his words in such an elegant way. When you read his books especially this one, you can feel the emotions and the love behind each sentence. Every orthodox believer has a lukewarm stage and this is the best book to read when you are feeling distant from God. I highly recommend!

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll never look at the Song of Songs the same way again. This book is full of wisdom and perspective for the various experiences and stages of one's spiritual journey.

[Marco Millio · Rating 5 out of 5]

تأملات روحية مفيدة فى سفر ايوب دونما التقيد بالدراسة الآييه

[Febronia · Rating 5 out of 5]

إن الحياة الروحية ، ليست كلها متعة دائمة مع الله.
فقد تتخللها احيانا فترات من الضعف و الفتور ، أو المحاربات التي ربما يسقط فيها الإنسان ، أو يفقد محبته الاولي.
وكما يقول الكتاب الصديق يسقط سبع مرات ويقوم.
فالشيطان يحسد أولاد الله. وقد يحاول آن يغربلهم كالحنطة كما فعل مع الأباء الرسل!
لذلك لا تستطيع النفس البشرية إن تحتفظ بثباتها في الرب كل حين ، وتقول علي الدوام شماله تحت رأسي ويمينه تعانقني.
لعل هذا ما يذكرنا بما قيل في سفر التكوين
"مدة كل أيام الأرض : زرع وحصاد ، وبرد وحر ، وصيف وشتاء ، ونهار وليل ، لاتزال"
(تك ٨ : ٢٢)
فإن وقعت في فترة برد أو مر بك ليل ، لا تتضايق. بل استمر ثابتا في الرب.
إنتظر بعد الليل نهار ، وبعد البرد حر.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written and translated. I would hope the person who translated this to English would work on more of the late Popes works.

[Keriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book!