Hildegard to the Abbot Ludwig
The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen O lofty person, do not in your arrogance regard yourself as lofty. Do not rage against the sheep of your flock in the heat of your anger [cf. Ecclus 45.23].
Rather, anoint and correct them to the best of your ability. Then you will live forever.
Hildegard to the Abbot Ludwig 1168-73 Ludwig became abbot of St. Eucharius in 1168, and served in that capacity until
1173, when he resigned to become abbot at Echternach. Hildegard writes the abbot a general letter of advice about his duties as administrator. Early on, Ludwig became a close friend and confidant of Hildegard's, and, later, he was to be instrumental in enlisting Theodoric of Echternach to complete Hildegard's Vita begun by Godfrey of Mount St. Rupert.
In a true vision I saw and heard these things: A certain man carefully tended his garden, but a cloud passed over it and caused it to wither. Therefore, the man let the garden go untilled. Later, he dug up the garden and planted roses and lilies and other sweet-smelling plants in it. But, again, a whirlwind came over those plants and ravaged them. Then the man said to himself: I will turn this garden into a field, and plant wheat and barley in it.
Now you who bear the name "father," listen. That garden was your beginning, which, at first, was somewhat overclouded by instability, but heeding the admonition of the Holy Spirit, you turned it to the better part [cf. Luke 10.42].
Then, you delighted in the Holy Spirit as in wholesome plants. Still, from time to time you became weary, just as the whirlwind beats down the flowers. Now,
God has decided to make you a farmer, as it were, so that you may look all about with due concern and plow properly, for it will do you no good to become slothful from your weariness.
You will become a good farmer by following the example of the saints, and by observing their character you will learn the nature of the righteous Father.
Love good and upright men, and chastise those who are vain and neglectful.
Endure with patience those who are as hard as stone, and do not, like an eagle, fall on them in hardness of heart or in the heat of your anger. Instead, do all things in moderation. Act in this way, lest you scatter Christ's flock.
Therefore, restrain yourself and live in accordance with the Rule of that most learned master.1 And take instruction from that mighty Man, Who brought forth the waters and divided them into streams [cf. Gen 1.7], and Who causes the earth to put forth shoots and flourish [cf. Gen 1.1 Iff], and Who has raised up the mountains, setting them over the valleys, and Who established the firmament with all
His ornaments, and Who caused the winds to blow and the air to fly with fire.