For some the unofficial Patroness of Ecology is the multi-talented Benedictine abbess
Hildegard of Bingen. Although faced with health problems, she led a very active life beyond convent leadership as a naturalist, healer, poetess, writer, artist, visionary and composer of music and plays. While Benedict (6th c.) shows us a Stewardship Model in relationship to Creation and Francis a Kinship Model, Hildegard reveals a Communion Model of fruitful love.
This model flows from the great love of God for Creation. Due to God's active love in all of Creation, every creature has what it needs to be creatively fruitful. God is the power that empowers all of Creation, not just to exist, but to be "green", fertile, to be creatively fruitful. We can delight in the "greening" of the earth, its beauty, radiance and fertility. The Creator gifts, embraces, kisses and loves all of Creation. Humans share in the great privilege of co-creating and loving. For Hildegard, we need the "greening" power of faith to be creatively fruitful in working with the earth and doing deeds of justice, peace and love.
Does Hildegard speak to our lives? To our times?
She definitely has relevant messages for us.
ReplyDeleteWhat strikes me is that every creature has what it needs to bloom. Sometimes we feel sorry for ourselves and not realize our many gifts until we are in danger of losing our ability to walk, or to see, or to hear, etc.
The gifts that we need to flourish are right there. See how the flowers bloom. We as intelligent creatures should bloom all the more & not choose anything that would make us wither. As we depend upon the earth & others, so does the earth & others depend upon us. We see the "greening" of the earth & need to experience the "greening" of ourselves.
This brilliant nun who lived 900 years ago is
ReplyDeleteincredible with all of the talents that she developed. Hildegard was way ahead of her times. Her love of Creation and using her own "greening" power speaks to our times.
We need to slow down & leave our gadgets alone for awhile & soak in what the earth is
ReplyDeletetelling us about the earth & ourselves. If we do, then we'll be more in touch with our
"greening power".
Have you ever flown into Ireland? If you ever want to be greeted by beautiful moist green land that's it. There's a greening power there of faith, justice, hope and love of caring for the land, being nourished by the land and enchanted by its beauty. Some of this spirit has lessened with a changing economy, but there is still an overflowing of remarkable friendliness to even visitors.
ReplyDeleteHildegard reminds us of how important our interaction with nature is for the well-being of all the members of our one earth community. How can we gaze at dawn or sunset, moon or stars, fields or streams, mighty oceans or sparkling lakes, babies or puppies without being drawn to a sense of wonder, of oneness, of mystery, of the divine?
ReplyDeleteAnother patroness of ecology is Kateri (Catherine)Tekakwitha, a young Native American woman raised near Auriesville, NY in the 17th c. She was called "Lily of the Mohawks", known for determination, embracing the cross, heroic virtue and communing with God in the forests. Her feast is July 14.
ReplyDeleteA facinating figure.
ReplyDeleteWow
ReplyDeleteA friend showed me this blog. How very beautiful! I'm just learning about Hildegard. She reminds us of how God speaks to us through the marvels of creation.
ReplyDeleteHildegard has so much to teach us about so many things. Her love of the Earth, the Divine, gardens and herbs, and the cosmos. Your post beautifully illustrates Hildegard's belief that all of nature is revelatory.
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