In joyful times, the ancient Church would call the Anointed One by a golden name. When the birds sang and the doves cooed, her love song was sweeter, proclaiming, "My beloved is mine, and I'm his. He feeds among the lilies." Even in their deepest winters, when idols overran the Lord's garden, prophets like Esaias sung of a beloved touching his vineyard. Though believers hadn't seen his face or walked with him, he was Israel's hope and joy, the 'beloved' of the faithful. Today, we call Christ the beloved of our soul, feeling he is precious, the 'chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely.' The Church's love for Jesus is so strong that the apostle confidently states nothing can separate us from Christ's love. None of life's challenges can do it. He joyfully proclaims, "We're more than conquerors through him who loved us." May we desire to know you more, precious One. 'My sole possession is your love; nothing more I ask.'