R176: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Äbtissin S. von Widergoldesdorff
The Gift That Sustains Heaven
Hildegard describes a divinely gifted person who can sustain heaven through grace and strength, urging the abbess not to flee from the rod of God but to let His gift inspire her.
Hildegard's reply. A person so gifted in knowledge that he can sustain heaven. He is of great strength. And a great gift of God is in him. This is the meaning. No one ought to flee! Whoever is strong enough for this — to sustain the congregation of the saints through the rod of God.✦ O daughter of God, may His gift inspire this in you.
The Inner Martyrdom of the Soul
Hildegard portrays the inner turmoil of the human soul—rising like smoke with grief, fear, and bitter thoughts—as a form of martyrdom endured in righteousness, through which many saints come to God.
so that you may carry its light carefully. For there is a certain nature in a human being that, right from its first arising, rises like smoke. And it carries grief and bitterness. And many thoughts, and fear, and uncertainty entangle themselves around this person. This martyrdom you have, daughter! And in it you endure distress, and fear, and grief in the righteousness of life. But nevertheless, in this respect! Very many saints come to God like martyrs.
Trust in God's Mercy
Hildegard closes by assuring the abbess that God will not abandon her and prays that the Holy Spirit may lessen her grief.
So you can trust God — he won't abandon you! And may the Holy Spirit lessen your grief.
Read the original Latin
Responsum hildegardis. Homo qui talis est in scientia quod celum sustinere potest. multum ualet. et magnum donum dei in illo est. Hic est sensus. Nullus hominum fugere debet! qui ad hoc ualet ut congregationem sanctorum per uirgam dei sustineat. O filia dei donum ipsius tibi hoc inspiret.
ut lumen eius diligenter feras. Quedam enim natura hominis est quę in primo ortu eius sicut fumus ascendit. et hęc dolorem et amaritudinem portat. et huic multę cogitationes et timor atque dubietas se implicant. Hoc martirium tu filia habes! et in eo angustiam et timorem et dolorem in equitate uitę sustines. Sed tamen in hac parte! plurimi sancti sicut martires ad deum ueniunt.
Ideo et tu confide in deum quia non derelinquet te! et spiritus sanctus dolorem tuum minuat.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.23.4;Isa.11.4 — Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff — they comfort me. Isa.11.4 — But with righteousness he will judge the poor, and with equity he will decide for the meek of the earth; and he will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he will put the wicked to death.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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