“No one can adequately grasp the terms pertaining to God. For example, mother is mentioned in place of ‘father’ (Song 3:11). Both terms mean the same, because the divine is neither male nor female (for how could such a thing be contemplated in the divinity, when it does not remain intact permanently for us human beings either? But we all shall become one in Christ, we will be divested of the signs of this distinction together with the whole of the old man). Therefore, every name found [in Scripture] is equally able to indicate the ineffable nature, since the meaning of the undefiled nature is contaminated by neither female nor male….Hence the Song says that a crown is placed upon the bridegroom by his mother. Since the nuptials and bride are one, one mother places the crown upon the bridegroom’s head.”
Gregory of Nyssa, Homilies on the Song of Songs, Homily 7.
eric daryl meyer 
Well, this is fascinating…thanks for the tip!
Indeed! Every I come across this quote in my notes, I’m pretty sure that Elizabeth Johnson found a way to travel back to the fourth century and give Gregory a little talking-to. 🙂