R88: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Abt G. von Salem
The Charge of the Shepherd
Hildegard warns that a shepherd placed in stewardship must not abandon his flock but govern it faithfully, since leaving one’s own for another is to transgress God’s commandment.
Hildegard's reply. Whoever has taken charge of a field or a sheepfold for the faith of stewardship ought not to abandon it! but, like a father of a household, he will govern them. For whoever abandons his own sheepfold and takes another is called a transgressor of God's commandments.✦ You, however, are a shepherd. act according to the devotion of the father.
The Thief-Shepherd and Self-Will
Hildegard contrasts a true shepherd with a “thief” who serves his own will, choosing what pleases him and despising mature disciples.
And in the care of a shepherd, take up the rod of correction. But a shepherd must not make himself a thief. How? A thief carries off what he wants. And what he doesn't want, he lets go. In the same way, many shepherds choose according to their own will what they want. And what they don't want, they reject. Often, too, they look down on disciples who are mature.
Dawn and Clouds in the Flock
Hildegard sees some shining with good works but many clouded by vanity and self-interest, and urges the abbot to admonish and correct them.
And they seek out those who are wandering and vain. For a devoted father corrects his son with every act of love. And he does not withhold what is good from him. In your congregation, however. I see certain ones glowing like the dawn through good works and patience. But the greater part I perceive to be inconstant in their ways, clouded by vanity, and bold in serving their own interests with words of excuse.1 Admonish them, and correct them. As much as you can.
Chosen to Live by Right Law
Hildegard reminds the abbot that God gave the covenants and the Holy Spirit to teach right living, and calls him not to turn away from God.
For God chose the old covenant and the new. And he left them to his sons.2 so that through the Holy Spirit they might be taught to live by a right law.3 And God wants you.4 So make sure you don't turn away from him.
Read the original Latin
Responsum hildegardis. Quicumque agrum uel ouile propter fidem procurationis susceperit. ipsam dimittere non debet! sed sicut pater familias ea reget. Qui enim ouile suum relinquit et aliud recipit. preceptorum dei preuaricator nominatur. Tu autem pastor. secundum pietatem patris.
et secundum curam pastoris uirgam correctionis habe. Pastor etiam furem se non faciat. Quomodo? Fur enim quę uult aufert. et quę non uult dimittit. Sic quoque multi pastores secundum propriam uoluntatem quod uolunt eligunt. et quod nolunt reprobant. Sepe etiam perfectos discipulos contempnunt.
et uagos atque uanos requirunt. Pius namque pater in omni dilectione filium suum corripit. et quod bonum est ipsi non abstrahit. In congregatione autem tua. quosdam per bona opera et pacientiam rutilantes sicut auroram uideo. sed maiorem partem per uicissitudinem morum et per uanitatem nebulosam et per proprietatem suam in uerbis excusationis audacem cerno. Hos admone et corripe. quantum poteris.
Deus enim uetus et nouum testamentum elegit. et ea filijs suis reliquit. ut per spiritum sanctum recta lege uiuere docerentur. Deus autem te uult. uide ergo ne ab illo discedas.
Scripture echoes
- ↩John.10.1-John.10.18 — Truly, truly I say to you: whoever does not enter the sheepfold through the door but climbs in by another way — that person is a thief and a robber. John.10.2 — But the one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. John.10.3 — The gatekeeper opens for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John.10.4 — When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. John.10.5 — But they will never follow a stranger; they will run from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers. John.10.6 — Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. John.10.7 — So again Jesus said, 'Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. John.10.8 — All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. John.10.9 — I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will go in and out, and will find pasture. John.10.10 — The thief does not come except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John.10.11 — I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John.10.12 — The hired hand, who is not the shepherd—the sheep are not his own—sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf snatches them and scatters them. John.10.13 — The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep. John.10.14 — I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me. John.10.15 — Just as the Father knows me, I also know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. John.10.16 — And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice, so there will be one flock, one shepherd. John.10.17 — This is why the Father loves me: because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. John.10.18 — No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from my Father.
Notes
- 1 ↩The Latin 'proprietatem suam in uerbis excusationis audacem' is compressed: they are bold (audacem) in their own self-interest, clothing it in words of excuse.
- 2 ↩ea (neut. pl.) likely refers to the two testaments/covenants mentioned in the previous sentence; antecedent resolution is uncertain.
- 3 ↩recta lege rendered as 'a right law' — could also be 'upright law' or 'correct law.' The phrase likely refers to the law of the Spirit as taught through the new covenant.
- 4 ↩autem rendered here as a mild continuative ('And') rather than a strong adversative ('however'), given the epistolary flow. The force is more connective than contrastive.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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