R114: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Abt von Kloster Veßra
The Hidden Light Speaks
Hildegard introduces her message as coming from the hidden light.
Hildegard's response. The hidden light says:
A Call to Wakefulness
The hidden light rebukes spiritual torpor and calls the reader to build on the strength of inner devotion.
You are terrified as if by a gust of wind! And you slumber in the wood of your mind's greenness. But the person who has the greenness of his own inner heart — — builds on the height of the wall.
The Failed Shepherd
A shepherd who cannot care for his flock should lay aside authority and become as a sheep.
The shepherd, however, who tends the sheepfold — — who has no inner resource to meet the needs of his own flock, but, worn out, runs away. Pastoral care will be of no use to that person, so let that same person make himself like a sheep, and not like a shepherd.
Surging Waters and Lacking Strength
The abbot is described as struggling in turbulent waters, searching for prudence but lacking strength.
You are like a man surging in the waters, who is barely kept from going under. And yet you look into prudence everywhere. But you are lacking in strength.
Grace Shines Forth
Despite weakness of strength, the abbot's will remains, and God's grace shines toward him.
but not in will. And so the grace of God shines out toward you.
Read the original Latin
Responsvm hildegardis. Secreta lux dicit. Tu exterritus es quasi de uento! et dormitas in ligno uiriditatis mentis tuę. Sed homo qui uiriditatem interioris cordis sui habet! in excelso parietis edificat. Pastor autem qui ouile pascit. non habens intrinsecus adiutorium in necessitatibus ouilis sui sed fatigatus fugit.
illi pastoralis cura non proderit! unde idem faciat se similem oui et non pastori. Tu homo es sicut undans in aquis qui uix liberatur ne dimergatur. et ubique prudentiam inspicis. sed tamen deficis in uiribus! non autem in uoluntate. Vnde et gratia dei ad te resplendet.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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