The Divine Musician

Hildegard of Bingen loved music, as do I. I am sure many of you do too.

Besides being a fine composer and singer, she was also the founder and head of a Benedictine monastery, counsellor to bishops and popes, an artist, a writer, a healer, and above all, a lover of God. She is considered one of the Rhineland mystics, and she has been rediscovered during the past few decades, due to the dedication of such fine spiritual writers as Matthew Fox, whose books I recommend to you. It was really hard for me to choose just one reading from among the many I would have liked to share with you, but I finally settled on three short readings which have musical imagery in common, revealing how much music was a part of her spirituality.

Here are her noteworthy words, for your enjoyment.

The soul is kissed by God in its innermost regions.

With interior yearning, grace and blessing are bestowed.

It is a yearning to take on God's gentle yoke,

and a yearning to give one's self to God's Way.

The marvels of God are not brought forth from one's self.

Rather, it is more like a chord, a sound that is played.

The tone does not come out of the chord itself, but rather,

through the touch of the Musician.

I am, of course, the lyre and harp of God's kindness.

* * * * * * * * *

Without the Word of God, no creature has being.

God's Word is in all creation, visible and invisible.

The Word is living, being, spirit, all verdant greening, all creativity.

All creation is awakened, called, by the resounding melody,

God's invocation of the Word.

The Word is manifest in every creature.

Now this is how the spirit is in the flesh--

the Word is indivisible from God.

Who are the prophets?

They are a royal people, who penetrate mystery and see with the Spirit's eyes.

In illuminating darkness they speak out.

They are living, penetrating clarity.

They are a blossom blooming only on the shot that is rooted in the flood of light.

* * * * * * * * *

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is a Burning Spirit, Who kindles the hearts of humankind,

playing them like tympany and lyre,

gathering volume in the temple of the soul.

The Holy Spirit is Life-giving life, all movement, root of all being,

purifier of all impurity, absolver of all faults, balm of all wounds,

radiant life, worthy of all praise.

The Holy Spirit resurrects and awakens everything that is.

Do not be lax in celebrating!

Be not lazy in the festive service of God.

Be ablaze with enthusiasm.

Let us be a live, burning offering before the altar of God.

Rather than writing a prayer of my own, I offer you one of Hildegard's beautiful prayers to nourish your soul.

"Holy Spirit, through You clouds billow, breezes blow, stones drip with trickling streams,

streams that are the source of earth's lush greening.

Likewise, You are the source of human understanding.

You bless with the Breath of Wisdom.

Thus all of our praise is Yours,

You who are the melody itself of praise, the joy of life, the mighty honor,

the hope of those to whom You give the gifts of the Light.

Limitless Love, from the depth to the stars

flooding all, loving all, it is the royal kiss of peace.