Letter 41: Gunther, Bishop of Speyer, to Hildegard
The Letters of Hildegard ofBingen this reason nothing can be added to or substracted from Him. For He Who Is is both paternity and divinity, as it is written: "I am who I am" [Ex 3.14].c
And He Who Is is Completeness. How is this true? In the fullness of making, of creating, of perfecting.
Whoever says that God is not paternity and divinity names a point without a circle, and if he wishes to have a point without a circle, he denies Him who is eternal.d And whoever denies that God is paternity and divinity denies God, because he wants there to be some void in God. And this is not true. But God is plenitude, and that which is in God is God. For God cannot be shaken out nor strained through a sieve by human argument, because there is nothing in God that is not God. And since creation has a beginning, it follows that man's reason discovers God through names, for reason itself, by its very nature, is full of names.c Now, again, O man, hear the poor little woman speaking to you in the Spirit: God wants you to make your paths straight and to be subject to Him, so that you may be a living rock in the cornerstone.' Thus you will not be cut off from the tree of life.
Notes 1. See Letter 2, note 3. Also, Hildegard writes in the autobiographical section of the Vita (I.ii.l 1): "I have a trembling fear, since I have no confidence in my own ability.
But I stretch out my hands to God, so that like a feather, which is light and powerless, wafted only by the wind, I may be sustained by Him."
2. For all her humility, Hildegard, it seems clear, is at times not above getting her digs in: this man "flowing in learning" [doctrina fluente] had to have recourse to me, a puny woman [me pusittam].
3. I.e., of the New Jerusalem.
Gunther, Bishop of Speyer, to Hildegard 1153-54 The bishop of Speyer seeks Ilildegard's prayers. Gunther, Count of Henneberg, served as bishop of Speyer from 1146 to 1161. Highly favored by Barbarossa, he served in the emperor's Italian campaign, during which he contracted the plague, from which he died on 16 August 1161.
The Letters
Gunther, by the grace of God servant and bishop of Speyer, sends greetings to Hildegard, beloved mistress of St. Rupert in Bingen, wishing you eternal salvation in Christ.
We give thanks to God that you are a fragrant aroma to those both near and far and that you offer consolation from the Holy Spirit to all who consult you. Therefore, beloved lady, be assured that it gives us pleasure to see the honor and benefit of your church and that we will gladly use all means at our disposal to work for its advancement.
But now, saintly lady, we earnestly ask that out of your love for us you intercede with God and with your prayers render Him favorable to us. Be assured beyond doubt that if God grants us life, you will not fail to receive honor and remuneration. For it is proper for you to pour out your prayers for us, just as we ourselves are concerned about your own needs. Will you please write back to us?
41r Hildegard to Gunther, Bishop of Speyer 1153-54 Hildegard writes a stern warning to Gunther that God is watching him through "the windows," and will not ignore his "heinous offense." What the particular offense was is unclear, but as an adherent and staunch supporter of Barbarossa,
Gunther is likely, in Hildegard's eyes, guilty of transgressions against the Church.
Note, however, her emphasis on forgiveness and mercy.
The Light of divine inspiration says to you, O man: Do not ignore the admonition of the Holy Spirit through negligence in office, because God requires that quality from you that He exhibited when He brought back the lost sheep, when He washed away the sins of mankind, when the mighty warrior overcame the ancient deceiver and utterly confounded him.a God is watching you through the windows because he is faithful and merciful. Let no man make mockery of this through his perverted will.
Hear: Do not ignore the reason for God's admonition, lest He strike you with His scourge. In His zeal God will strike down that heinous offense of yours, for even His priests and their companions are holding Him up to mockery. For this reason, He brandishes the bow of his admonition to show that no one can resist Him.
Now, O man, you are enveloped in great darkness. Therefore, rise up quickly after your fall and build a tabernacle in heaven, so that filthy sinners