R254: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Mönchskonvent von Disibodenberg
Justice Crying Out in Exile
Hildegard greets the brothers of Disibod and reports a vision in which Justice laments being treated as a stranger by those who follow their own will.
To the brothers of Saint Disibod. Hildegard. In a true vision I heard a voice! This is what it said against the wrongs that both spiritual and secular people bring forth against justice: O Justice, you are a stranger and an outsider in the city of those who devise and choose parables according to the demands of their own will. They do not yearn for your mysteries or for your friendship. You who are robed in purple, the king's beloved. Therefore you cry out against that lot in which no justice rests.
The Visionary’s Shame and the Zeal of Justice
Hildegard describes her own shame and fear of opponents, then records how Justice burns with zeal against those who resist it.
And in your outbursts you say: I blush so deeply that I hide my face under my cloak! Lest those lying in wait for me should see me. But they themselves say: Whatever comes from us is what it is. It profits everyone. Therefore, O Justice, you have great zeal! So much that anyone who resists you stands guilty of judgment.
Questions about the Origin and Burden of Vision
Justice is questioned about its origin and mission, revealing its source in the Father and the prophet’s painful role as a gathering cloud among weary people.
And again you speak of outbreaks. Where do you come from? From the Father's bosom. And all regions are gathered with me. But where are all the peoples' conditions and all the institutions of the generations placed? There I was present. And so columns of the cloud are erected in me. Now however, I am their weariness!
Lament over a Sleeping People
Hildegard laments the ignorance and dishonor of those who once received spiritual gifts but now sleep like foolish beasts.
Those who have sprung up in the first root, the root within me— And so before I grieve over these things, I sigh because of the ignorance of the peoples! and like overflowing waters, so my roaring, in a loud voice, is the sound of many waters, because of the excess of foolish men in the chattering of their own customs! and in the clamor of dishonor. Ah! ah! O eagles who have passed through me through the fire of the Holy Spirit and through the water of recovery, like a glowing dawn and like a sparkling gem! Now you sleep, and like foolish animals you are creatures who sometimes move forward and sometimes step backward!
The Mountain of God and the Law
In a mystical vision Hildegard sees a great mountain where a figure holding God’s law sits above a spiritually circumcised people who long to receive it.
And sometimes they mingle with one another as they walk. But oh, this mountain of the sons of God! In this mystical breath I saw a mountain of great magnitude. On its summit sat a great man who held the law of God in both his hands, as though written on a scroll. As it is written of Moses. And beneath the feet of this same man there was a crowd of people surrounded by spiritual circumcision.✦ All of whom received the instruments of his law with joy and longing, saying:
Sin, Tears, and Mercy’s Remedy
The people pray to God, yet fall into sin and confusion, but are washed by Christ’s blood since they cannot raise themselves by their own strength.
O Lord our God! When will we come to you? We will gladly obey you. But at times they have thrown themselves into a certain whirlwind. And at times there were many sins among them. Yet these they washed away with many tears, in the sprinkling of the blood of Christ Jesus.✦ For since a person lay in such great sins— —he could not raise himself out of them by his own strength, in any vigor of his own.
God’s Promise to Raise the Humble
God promises to raise up a new person in mercy and confession, while Hildegard notes the surprising absence of pride amid the people’s sins.
God said: I want to raise up a person through myself. and plant them again anew in the inward parts of mercy! so that they may dwell in the mirror of confession. who could not snatch themselves out of the devil's inward parts by their own power. But I, a poor weak woman, although I saw many sins in them, still I did not see pride in them! which things, through stubbornness, scorns sinners in the casting of stones.
Rebellion under Heaven’s Judgment
Another group looks toward heaven yet attacks it with arrows and insolence, so thunders, hail, and mists fall upon them.
But beneath the feet of those people I saw another crowd of human beings, surrounded by a white cloud. They had beautiful faces and were looking toward heaven! Yet these were people who, with insolent questioning into many useless things, had at times drawn near like fat bulls. So that when they looked toward heaven, stretching their bows they sent arrows against heaven, and with leaden clubs they struck against heaven. And so they directed their mouth toward heaven, and their tongue passed over the earth. Whence thunders came upon them. And hailstones fell upon them! And many mists covered them.
God’s Gathering and Human Arrogance
God’s grace reminds the people of their blessedness, yet they arrogantly question whether anyone can reach or overcome God.
And they were murmuring! Why would filthinesses of this kind surround them so completely? And the grace of God answered them in this way. I have gathered you to great blessedness. But in your recklessness you throw me away, when you say— Who can reach you? Or what speech can overcome you? Or what hills—
From Blessing to Ruin and a New Church
Like Israel of old, the people received great blessing but fell into murmuring and recklessness, losing holiness until God built another city of the Church.
Or what tongue can strike you down! Just as the sons of Israel also neglected God, when through the blessing of Abraham a horn of blessings rose up over them. And into his own bosom he lifted them up through the joy of honor. But they grumbled deceitfully and recklessly resisted God. And through the shedding of Christ's blood they abandoned what was holy. Then the blessing that was in them slipped away and vanished! Because they turned themselves aside to a fall of death. And from their sacrifices and burnt offerings God built another city — the church!
Streams of Grace for the Humble
Under the former groups, another crowd beholds a ram amid golden thorns and receives streams from the one on the mountain.
until all the waters of the wells are brought forth into the valley of black clouds. And then all the eagles, on the circling wheel, will be gathered into one flock. because they themselves had previously been in blessing. But I also saw another crowd of people under their feet. Before their eyes a ram hung among thorns of a golden color. They were looking at him with the fragrance of myrrh and frankincense, and with a flashing countenance. And from the hands of that great man who sat on the summit of the same mountain. Certain streams flowed forth to their chests.
The Winepress of the Nations
The gathered people confess their failures and are placed over the winepress, fulfilling the prophet’s word that God alone trod it.
And they cried out with a clear voice toward the bosom of wisdom, like this: God once gathered us in many sacrifices. But we all fail under many obligations. So we are placed over the winepress! saying with the prophet:✦ I alone trod the winepress.✦ And among the nations there is no man with me.✦ And again, where a net was cast into the sea, it gathered fish of every kind.✦
Chosen for Glory and Set as Sinai
God’s grace chooses the humble for glory, calls them back to their first root, and establishes them like Mount Sinai to offer praise.
Just as fishermen have chosen good fish for their containers, so the grace of God has chosen them for glory — the ones who are humble in heart and devoted in the fear of the Lord. not looking to plunder. Now, however, the first voice gathered you to the praise of God. May it establish you in the root of good, like the first ones who were consecrated in the walls of the temple. But you — O mountain! listen to God's warning. God established you like Mount Sinai.
Turn and Shine as Lamps
The letter closes with a call to turn to God, become a lampstand for the king, and remember their planting by God’s right hand.
Offer him a sacrifice of praise. But now, turn to God. And be a lampstand for the king. So that you won't be ashamed in your first root, just as the right hand of God planted you.
Read the original Latin
Ad fratres sancti Dysibodi. hildegardis. In uera uisione uocem audiui! hęc aduersum iniurias quas et spiritales et seculares contra iusticiam proferunt dicentem. O iusticia tu peregrina et aduena es in ciuitate illorum qui sibi componunt et eligunt parabolas de officio proprię uoluntatis suę. nec ad tua misteria nec ad amiciciam tuam anhelant. quę es purpurata amica regis. Unde clamas propter sortem illam in qua non quiescit ulla iusticia.
et in erumpnis dicis. Valde erubesco ita ut faciem meam sub pallio meo abscondam! ne mihi insidiantes me uideant. Sed ipsi dicunt. Quodcumque ex nobis est. omnibus prodest. Quapropter o iusticia magnum zelum habes! ita quod reus iudicij est qui tibi resistit.
Et iterum in erumpnis dicis. Unde ueni? De sinu patris. Et omnes regiones mecum collectę sunt. Sed et ubi positę sunt omnes staturę populorum et omnia instituta generationum! ibi aderam. Et sic columpnę nubis in me erectę sunt. Nunc autem sum tedium illorum!
qui in prima radice radice in me orti sunt. Quapropter antequam in his doleam propter ignorantiam populorum suspiro! et tanquam inundantes aquę sic rugitus meus in alta uoce sonitus aquarum multarum propter nimietatem stultorum hominum in garrulitate morum ipsorum! et in strepitu inhonestatis. He. he. o aquilę que in me transsistis per ignem spiritus sancti et per aquam recuperationis quasi aurora rutilans et quasi gemma coruscans. nunc dormitis et ut stulta animalia estis quę interdum procedunt et interdum retro incedunt!
et interdum se inuicem ambulando intermiscent. Sed et de hoc monte filiorum dei! hęc in mistico spiramine uidi. Montem multę magnitudinis uidi. in cuius uertice uir magnus sedebat qui in utraque manu sua legem dei quasi in carta scriptam habebat! sicut de moyse scriptum legitur. Et sub pedibus eiusdem uiri quedam turba hominum spiritali circumcisione circumdata erat! qui omnes instrumenta ipsius legis cum gaudio et suspirio susceperunt dicentes.
O domine deus noster! quando ad te ueniemus? Libenter tibi obediemus. Sed tamen interdum in quandam turbinem se miscuerunt. et aliquando multa crimina inter illos fuerunt. quę tamen multis lacrimis abluerunt in aspersione sanguinis christi iesu. Nam cum homo in tam magnis peccatis iaceret. quod se de illis in nulla uiriditate per seipsum erigere ualeret.
dixit deus. Uolo hominem per memetipsum erigere. et denuo in uisceribus misericordię plantare! ita ut in speculo confessionis resideat. qui se de uisceribus diaboli per seipsum eripere non potuit. Sed ego paupercula quamuis multa crimina in his uiderem. superbiam tamen in eis non uidi! quę per contumaciam in iactu lapidum peccatores contempnit.
Sed sub pedibus istorum aliam turbam hominum aspexi candida nube circumdatos. et pulcras facies habentes et in celum aspicientes! qui tamen petulantiam cum sciscitatione multarum inutilitatum sicut pingues tauri interdum adierunt. ita ut cum in celum aspicerent arcus suos intendentes sagittas contra celum emiserunt atque plumbeis fustibus contra celum percusserunt. et sic posuerunt in celum os suum et lingua eorum transiuit in terra. Unde tonitrua super eos uenerunt. et grandines super eos ceciderunt! atque multę nebulę eos obtexerunt.
Et murmurabant! quare huiusmodi squalores eos ita circumuallarent. Et gratia dei illis sic respondit. Ad magnam beatitudinem uos collegi. sed in temeritate uestra me abicitis cum dicitis. quis ad uos pertingere possit. aut quis sermo uos uincat. aut qui colles.
aut quę lingua uos percutere ualeat! sicut etiam filij israel deum neglexerunt cum per benedictionem abrahę cornu benedictionum super eos erexit. et in sinum suum per leticiam honoris leuauit. Sed illi in fraude murmurabant et in temeritate deo resistebant. et sanctitatem per effusionem sanguinis christi reliquerunt. Tunc benedictio in illis retrorsum abijt et euanuit! quia ad casum mortis se declinauerunt. Et deus de sacrificijs et de holocaustis illorum aliam ciuitatem ęcclesię edificauit!
usque dum omnes aquę puteorum educantur in uallem nigrarum nebularum. Et tunc omnes aquile in circueunte rota in unum gregem aggregabuntur. quia ipse prius in benedictione erant. Sed et aliam turbam hominum sub pedibus istorum uidi. ante quorum oculos aries in spinis aurei coloris pendebant. quem cum odore mirrę et thuris et cum fulminante uultu inspiciebant. Et de manibus magni uiri illius qui in uertice eiusdem montis sedebat. quidam riuuli ad pectora illorum effluxerunt.
Et illi clara uoce ad sinum sapientię sic clamauerunt. Deus olim nos in multis sacrificijs congregauit. sed nos omnes in multis obligationibus delinquimus. Unde super torcular positi sumus! cum propheta dicentes. Torcular calcaui solus. et de gentibus non est uir mecum. Et iterum ubi sagena missa est in mare et ex omni genere piscium congregabat.
sicut illi piscantes elegerunt pisces bonos in uasa. sic gratia dei elegit illos ad gloriam qui humiles corde sunt et deuoti in timore domini. rapinas non intendentes. Nunc autem prima uox quę uos ad laudem dei congregauit. faciat uos in radice boni sicut primos qui in parietibus templi consecrati sunt. Sed tu o mons! audi in admonitione dei. Deus te constituit sicut montem synai.
ad sacrificandum ei hostiam laudis. Nunc autem ad deum conuertere. et esto candelabrum regis. ita ut non erubescas in prima radice tua sicut dextera dei te plantauit.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Rom.2.29;Col.2.11;Deut.10.16 — But the one who is truly a Jew is one who is so inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter. His praise is not from human beings but from God. Col.2.11 — In him you were also circumcised—not with a circumcision performed by human hands, but with the circumcision of Christ, having been stripped of the body of the flesh. Deut.10.16 — So circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
- ↩1Pet.1.2 — according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace be multiplied.
- ↩Isa.63.3 — I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples there was no one with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my fury. Their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
- ↩Isa.63.3 — I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples there was no one with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my fury. Their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
- ↩Isa.63.3 — I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples there was no one with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my fury. Their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
- ↩Matt.13.47-Matt.13.50;Luke.5.6;John.21.6 — Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea and gathering fish of every kind. Matt.13.48 — which, when it was full, they hauled to shore and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the rotten they threw away. Matt.13.49 — So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the wicked from among the righteous. Matt.13.50 — and they will throw them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Luke.5.6 — And when they had done this, they enclosed a great number of fish, and their nets were breaking. John.21.6 — He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and they were no longer able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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