72. Morally, by these three women, according to Gregory, are signified faithful souls, who ought to offer the Lord three ointments or spices, that is, the fragrance of virtues, the reputation of good works, and the sweetness of holy prayers, concerning which Song of Songs four: "Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow through my garden, and let its spices flow forth."
But according to Bernard, by these three women are signified in each person the mind, the tongue, and the hands, each of which has its own very precious ointments: the ointments of the mind indeed are contrition, compassion, and devotion. The ointment of contrition is compounded from the cheapest ingredients, that is, from one's own sins, which grow in our garden. The ointment of compassion is compounded from the most bitter ingredients, that is, from all the miseries of our neighbors, which grow in the neighboring garden. The ointment of devotion is compounded from the most precious ingredients, that is, from all the benefits of Christ, which grow in the Lord's garden: Sirach thirty-eight: "The perfumer shall make sweet confections and shall prepare ointments of healing."
The ointments of the tongue are devout prayer, complete confession, and true preaching. The herbs from which the first ointment is compounded are right intention, firm attention, and pious affection. The herbs from which the second ointment is compounded are shame for what was committed, sorrow for what was lost, and fear of judgment. The herbs from which the third ointment is compounded are instruction in faith, formation of morals, rebuke of vices. Concerning these ointments it is said in Proverbs twenty-seven: "By ointment and various fragrances the heart is delighted, and by the good counsels of a friend the soul is sweetened."
The ointments of the third woman, namely the hands, are the seven works of mercy , namely to shelter pilgrims, to give drink to the thirsty, to feed the hungry, to ransom captives, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick, and to bury the dead: concerning which ointments, the last chapter of Genesis says: "Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father with spices," etc.; and concerning the said ointments can be understood that passage from Song of Songs, chapter one: "Your breasts are better than wine, fragrant with the finest ointments." For the ointments of the first woman are good, those of the second better, but those of the third woman are the best.