For your reflection...

Some Meditations from Hildegard of Bingen

Hildegard of Bingen (1098 - 1179) was a remarkable woman, a "first" in many fields.  At a time when few women wrote, Hildegard produced major works of theology and visionary writing.  When few women were accorded respect, she was consulted by and advised bishops, popes, and kings.  She used the curative powers of natural objects for healing, and wrote treatises about natural history and medicinal uses of plants, animals, trees and stones. She founded vibrant convents, where her musical plays were performed.  Hildegard’s writings are among the earliest important mystic works of the Middle Ages.  In October of 2012 Hildegard was canonized and became a Doctor of the Roman Catholic Church.  

MEDITATION WITH HILDEGARD OF BINGEN

In the world,
it is possible for a person to do
either good or bad.
As a result of the latter,
a body is placed in many afflictions.
To lessen them,
a person should therefore
act according to the judgment of a spiritual director,
lest one find only the bitterness
and not the sweetness of life.

**********

Under your protection,
I rejoice, O God!
In your shadow,
I exalt, O God!
You rescue me from the heaviness of sin.
My soul anticipates
drawing ever closer to you
in the doing of good works.
This supreme longing
pulls me to you,
beckons me come
under your protection,
into the shadow of your power.
I am secure from all enemies there!


Taken from Meditations With Hildegard of Bingen by Gabriele Uhlein