Hildegard Commemoration
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a German Benedictine abbess, polymath, writer, musician, composer, philosopher, mystic, medical writer, and pharmacist during the 12th century. Deeply in love with God, she saw God’s image everywhere – “Every creature is a glittering, glistening mirror of divinity,” she wrote – and developed a profound reverence for nature and humanity’s proper relationship with creation. Hildegard began to understand humans as “sparks” of God’s love, emanating from God to shine the light of God’s love everywhere. Enraptured by the divine force of nature, Hildegard taught that we are created to live in shalom, a vibrant interdependence of mind, body, and spirit that springs out of the transcendent union of the divine and the human. In 2012, Hildegard was canonized and named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI. Benedict prayed that the Holy Spirit would raise up people “like Saint Hildegard of Bingen who, developing the gifts they have received from God, make their own special and valuable contribution to the spiritual development of our communities….” May the Spirit do so!
Creator God, spark in us the sweeping acceptance of your love that lived through Hildegard, that we may be channels of your authentic, luminous, divine life. Inspire us to follow her example of living out of your breathtaking vitality so that, amidst the darkness of this world, your Church will be a beacon of light, hope, and shalom.
"God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God." ~~ Hildegard of Bingen
Pastor Susan A. G. Irons
Pastor of Around the River Lutheran Parish
tubarev@gmail.com | 412-499-0798
