R84: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Abt B. von Michaelsberg
A Prophetic Word for the Abbot
Hildegard introduces her reply with a prophetic warning, affirming that God's living water will flow from the rock in divine mystery.
Hildegard's reply. It was foretold in a fiery warning that this people would hear with their own living voice. For it will be drawn from the rock, a rushing stream, in the darkness of God's mysteries.✦
Dawn and Burden in Leadership
Hildegard acknowledges the abbot's moments of spiritual brightness alongside the deep exhaustion his leadership brings.
I have seen you at times in your purpose glowing like the red dawn. But nevertheless, bearing labor and distress at times — both within yourself and in others. So much so that from it you become so deeply worn out, as if you don't know what you can do.
Admonition to Rise in the Light
Hildegard urges the abbot to listen as a spiritual father and to be watchful, rising in the light while bearing his rod with honor.
Now then, listen to the most noble father of the household as he admonishes you. Be watchful, act vigorously, and rise up in the light.✦ so that you may carry his rod honorably in the light of day.
The Inner Self Made Strong
Though the outer self may be wearied by God's discipline, the inner self grows stronger through the sustaining power of divine grace.
For if the outer self is sometimes wearied under God's scourge, the inner self rises up all the stronger from the mightiest power. which wishes to sustain you as the wheel of its grace turns around you.
Read the original Latin
Responsum hildegardis. In ignea ammonitione predestinatum est quod uiua uoce populus iste auditurus sit. quod de torrente lapide haurietur in obscuritate misteriorum dei. Uideo enim te aliquando in intentione tua ut auroram rutilantem. sed tamen laborem et angustiam interdum et in temetipso et in alijs habentem. ita ut inde tam fortiter fatigeris quasi ignores quid facere possis. Nunc autem nobilissimum patrem familias te admonentem audi. Vigila strenue et surge in lumine.
ut uirgam ipsius honeste in die feras. Nam si exterior homo in flagello dei aliquando fatigatur. interior tanto fortior exurgit de fortissima ui. quę te sustentare uult in circueunte rota gracię suę.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Exod.17.6;Num.20.11;1Cor.10.4 — I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it so that the people may drink." And Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. Num.20.11 — And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and much water came out, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. 1Cor.10.4 — and they all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
- ↩Isa.60.1;Eph.5.14 — Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Eph.5.14 — Therefore he says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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