R104: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Abt E. von Averbode
The Storm Against the Beloved of God
Hildegard explains that the darts of unbelief and malice are like a dangerous storm stirred by the first fallen angel against those whom God greatly loves, because the enemy cannot endure their happiness.
Hildegard's reply. The darts that come with unbelief and with the insolence of malicious words are like a dangerous wind that suddenly strikes the heart of a person. And this is the storm of the first angel, the one who despised God. For I often see, in the happiness of a person whom God greatly loves, that these torments hurl themselves against that person.1 because the enemy takes notice of that person's happiness, and wants to crush that person in this very storm!
Held in God's Bosom Amid Tribulation
Although the enemy cannot snatch the beloved from God, tribulation still comes from the elements, yet God governs it with moderation, just as the Church's new birth in Christ's blood is joined with the water of the Holy Spirit.
so that he may fall with him. But he cannot snatch that person from the bosom of God. Nevertheless, distress and tribulation come upon him from the elements. Yet in that trial, by the moderation with which God watches over him. Now just as the church received a new offspring — the new birth of a new progeny — in the blood of Christ, so too it was fitting and proper that the gift of the Holy Spirit — namely, water — be joined with the blood of Christ. because there is also decay in the blood of every human being.
Admonition to the Abbot and a Call to Watchfulness
Hildegard admonishes the abbot as spiritual father to be a vigorous trumpet of love and obedience for his flock, and calls him and himself to watchfulness, justice, truth, and a soul undisturbed by the noise of the age.
And so I admonish you, O father of the household, on Mount Zion. Make it your aim to be a trumpet sounding vigorously among the spiritual people of your flock, so that they do not fail in love and in obedience. And you will live forever. In yourself as well, keep watch on every side. Keep your eyes on justice and on truth. So that your soul is always watchful. Lest you be hindered by the noise of this age.
Read the original Latin
Responsum hildegardis. Iacula quę in incredulitate et in contumelia maliciosorum uerborum ueniunt. similia periculoso uento sunt qui repente ad cor hominis uenit. Et hęc est tempestas primi angeli. in quo ipse deum despexit. Sepe enim uideo in felicitate hominis quem deus ualde amat quod hę penę se illi obiciunt. quia inimicus felicitatem illius cognoscit. et eum in hac tempestate opprimere uult!
ut cum eo cadat. Sed ipsum de sinu dei rapere non ualet. Attamen angustia et tribulatio illi ab elementis occurrunt. in illa tamen temperantia quod deus eum obseruat. Sicut autem ecclesia nouam genituram nouę prolis in sanguine christi suscepit. ita oportebat et decuit dotem spiritus sancti scilicet aquam sanguine christi coniungi. quia etiam tabes in sanguine cuiusque hominis est. Sed et moneo te o pater familias in monte syon.
ut facias quod sis tuba canens strenue in spiritali populo tui gregis ut non deficiat in caritate et in obedientia. et in eternum uiues. In temetipso etiam undique oculos habe. ad aspiciendum iusticiam et ueritatem. ita ut anima tua semper uigilet. ne in strepitu huius seculi impediaris.
Notes
- 1 ↩penę (pennae/poenae) is ambiguous: could mean 'wings' or 'torments/pains.' Rendered as 'torments' to fit the context of spiritual assault; 'wings' is also possible.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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