The Kiss Of Wisdom

Osculetur me osculo oris sui... Vos quoque, ut caute in arcanis sensibus pedem figatis, mementote semper, quod sapiens admonet: Altiora, inquit, te ne quaesieris, et fortiora te ne scrutans fueris. In spiritu ambulate in illis, et non in sensu proprio. Doctrina Spiritus non curiositatem acuit, sed charitatem accendit. Merito proinde sponsa, quem diligit anima sua inquirens, non se suae carnis sensibus credit, non curiositatis humanae inanibus ratiociniis acquiescit; sed petit osculum, id est Spiritum sanctum invocat, per quem accipiat simul et scientiae gustum, et gratiae condimentum. Et bene scientia, quae in osculo datur, cum amore recipitur; quia amoris indicium osculum est. Scientia ergo quae inflat, cum sine charitate sit, non procedit ex osculo. Sed nec qui zelum Dei habent, et non secundum scientiam, sibi ullatenus arrogent illud. Utrumque enim munus simul fert osculi gratia, et agnitionis lucem, et devotionis pinguedinem. Est quippe Spiritus sapientiae et intellectus, qui instar apis ceram portantis et mel, habet omnino et unde accendat lumen scientiae, et unde infundat saporem gratiae. Neuter ergo se osculum percepisse putet, sive qui veritatem intelligit, nec diligit; sive qui diligit, nec intelligit. Sane in osculo isto nec error locum habet, nec tepor. Sanctus Bernardus Clarae Vallensis, In Cantica Canticorum, Sermo VIII, Quomodo per osculum oris Dei significatur Spiritus Sanctus Source: Migne PL 183.812d-813b

Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth... 1 You also, if you would prudently fix your foot in the understanding of the mysteries, should always remember what the wise man warns, 'Do not seek after things too high, nor grapple with things that are too difficult.' 2 You must walk in the Spirit in these things and not according to your own mind. The teaching of the Spirit does not sharpen curiosity but it inspires love. Rightly, then, the bride, seeking him whom her heart loves, does not trust the corporeal senses, nor does she give herself to the inane thoughts of human curiosity, but she asks for a kiss, that is, she calls upon the Holy Spirit, through whom she receives, at the same time, the taste of knowledge and the seasoning of grace. And well it is that the knowledge given in the kiss is received with love, since the kiss is the mark of love. Therefore the knowledge that puffs up, since it lacks love, does not come from the kiss. 3 Even those who have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge, may not for any reason lay claim to it. The favour of the kiss bears a twofold gift, the light of knowledge and the fervour of devotion. He is in truth the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, who, like the bee carrying its burden of wax and honey, has the power both of kindling the light of knowledge and infusing the delicious fragrance of grace. Therefore no one should think they have been given the kiss, who knows the truth and does not love, nor should anyone who loves without understanding. Certainly in this kiss there is no place for error, nor tepidity. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Commentary On The Song of Songs, from Sermon 8, How the Holy Spirit is signified by the kiss of the mouth of God 1 Song 1.1 2 Eccl 3.22 3 1 Cor 8.1