Bernard of Clairvaux, on Song 2:12

“The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land:”

“As long, therefore, as pestilent waters of this kind had occupied the earth and prevailed upon it, the vineyards did not have their time, nor was there cause for the bride to be invited to prune the vineyards. But when those had run off, the dry land appeared, and flowers appeared in it, signifying that the time of pruning was at hand. You ask when this was? When do you think, if not when the flesh of Christ reflowered in the resurrection? And this is the first and greatest flower that appeared in our land. For "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep is Christ" (1 Cor 15:20). He himself, I say, "the flower of the field and the lily of the valleys," Jesus (Song 2:1), as he was supposed the son of Joseph, from Nazareth (Lk 3:23), which is interpreted "flower." This flower therefore appeared first, not alone. For "many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep also arose together," who, like certain most brilliant flowers, appeared at the same time in our land. Finally, "they came into the holy city, and appeared to many" (Mt 27:52-53). Flowers also were those who first believed from among the people, the firstfruits of the saints. Their miracles were flowers, producing fruit of faith after the manner of flowers. For after that rain of unbelief had somewhat, or in part, departed and receded, there followed immediately a willing rain, which God set apart for his inheritance, and flowers began to appear. "The Lord gave his bounty, and our land gave its flowers," so that in one day three thousand, and in another five thousand from the people believed (Acts 2:41; 4:4): to such a degree in a short time the number of flowers, that is, the multitude of believers, increased. And the frost of malice could not prevail against the flowers that were appearing, nor snatch away, as it is wont to do, the fruit of life which they promised. For when all who had believed were clothed with power from on high, there arose from among them men who despised the threats of men, strong in faith. They suffered indeed very many contradictors; but they did not yield, nor did they shrink from both doing and proclaiming the works of God. For according to that in the psalm, spiritually indeed: "And they sowed fields, and planted vineyards, and made the fruit of their produce" (Ps 106:37). In the course of time the storm was calmed, and with peace restored to the lands, the vineyards grew, and were propagated, and extended, and multiplied beyond number. And then at last the bride is invited to the vineyards, not indeed to plant, but to prune what had already been planted. Opportunely indeed: for that work required a time of peace. For when in a time of persecution would this be permitted? Otherwise, to take in hand two-edged swords, to execute vengeance upon the nations, rebukes upon the peoples; to bind their kings in fetters, and their nobles in chains of iron; and to execute upon them the judgment that was written (Ps 149:6-9) -- for this is to prune the vineyards -- these things, I say, are scarcely carried out even in a time of peace peaceably. And enough of these things.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.