Words such as "thrusting," "moan," and "satisfied " are what some would assume to be sexual language. The translated verse coming from Song of Songs 2:5 says, "strengthen me with raisins, and refresh me with apples, because I am weak with love. "2 .

             At first, this may not appear to possess any sexual references or undertones but understanding its context presents it in a new light. Some believe raisins and apples to be aphrodisiacs meant to cure love-sickness. If that were the case, both of these passages could be interpreted as naturally sexual. A famous sculpture by Gion Lorenzo Bernini gives a visual interpretation to the scene many people view as sexual.

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             "The Ecstasy of St. Teresa," by Gion Lorenzo Bernini, is located at the Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria Della Vittoria in Rome, Italy. One's initial reaction to this sculpture is awe; it's visually breath taking. St. Teresa and an angel are the two dominant figures. Directly above the saint and angel, Bernini uses natural light to suggest the heavens. "St. Teresa and the angel are shown as if suspended on a cloud above the altar, the whole scene within the niche being illuminated from heaven by a concealed window. "3 The sculptures were created with white marble, which glistens and glows perfectly when sunlight is applied. Yet after some time, when the initial beauty of The Ecstasy of St. Teresa fades, we begin to wonder what this is truly about. .

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             Saint Teresa and the angel are suspended in a very dramatic, personal religious experience. The angel is holding a golden arrow, which is directed towards St. Teresa's heart. She is also gently grabbing on St. Teresa's heavily draped attire, and seems to be smiling at her, in a pleasurable way. Teresa describes an angel carrying a fire-tipped spear, with which he pierces her heart repeatedly, an act that sends her into a state of spiritual rapture. "The pain," she writes, "was so severe that it made me utter several moans.