R124: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Propst N. von Wadgassen
God Who Sees All Things
Hildegard introduces her reply by invoking God, who is not silent but sees all things sharply and speaks.
Hildegard's reply. Who is not silent. But sees all things sharply. Says.
Guard the Temple of the Soul
A wise man who builds on a high mountain must zealously guard his work, and the hearer is urged to protect the inner temple of the soul from enemies.
When a wise man builds a city on a high mountain through his own desires. It is fitting that he should guard against this with great zeal, so that his enemies do not tear down his building in many terrors. Hear therefore, O man. Guard your temple carefully. Lest your enemies be able to destroy the city of God within you.
The Shining Soldier of God
The one who shines with the fear of God, mourns sin, and stands as an upright soldier receives God's delighted affirmation.
This one shines in his heart because of the fear of God. so that he may mourn his sins in the countenance of his mind.1 This one is an upright soldier. And from God he receives this answer. O dear son! You have a good taste in you.2 Therefore I delight in you.
The Pale and Worthless Soldier
Whoever hides in pale ignorance of self and others is no worthy soldier but wearies their soul, and is rebuked for not knowing what they say.
Whoever has kept a pale face in their mind, saying to themselves: I do not know what I am, or what my companions are doing. That person is no worthy soldier. but leads their soul into weariness. So I give this answer to such a person: O person! you do not know what you are saying.
Mourn, Console, and Live in God
First mourn your sins, then bear with your brothers patiently, for God sees all as sinners yet does not reject the repentant, so live in God and walk in eternal happiness.
First, mourn your sins. And afterward, wipe away your brothers' tears as much as you can. And have patience. Because God sees us all as sinners. But God still does not turn away those who repent. So live in God. And walk in eternal happiness.
Read the original Latin
Responsvm hildegardis. Qui non silet. sed acute omnia aspicit. dicit. Cum sapiens uir per desideria sua in excelso monte ciuitatem edificat. decet ut in magno studio precaueat ne inimici ipsius edificium eius in multis terroribus destruant. Audi ergo o homo. Serua sollicite templum tuum.
ne inimici tui possint destruere ciuitatem dei in te. Qui rutilat in pectore suo propter timorem dei. quatenus peccata sua plangat in uultu mentis suę. hic probus miles est. et a deo accipit responsum hoc. O care fili! bonum gustum in te habes. ideo delector in te.
Qui uero pallidam faciem in mente sua habuerit sic dicens. nescio quid sim. uel quid alij sodales mei sint. hic probus miles non est. sed in tedio animum suum deducit. Unde huic tale responsum do. O homo! nescis quid dicis.
Primum peccata tua plange. et postea fratres tuos quantum possis terge. atque pacientiam habe. quoniam deus peccatores nos omnes uidet. sed tamen non spernit penitentiam facientes. Idcirco in deo uiue. et in eterna felicitate ambula.
Notes
- 1 ↩uultus mentis (countenance/face of the mind) is a striking Hildegardian image — the inner face or expression of the soul that visibly grieves sin. Rendered literally to preserve the metaphor.
- 2 ↩bonum gustum likely carries a spiritual sense — a good spiritual palate or discernment, echoing the biblical 'taste and see' (Ps 33:9 Vulg.). Rendered literally but the spiritual sense is probable.
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