Hildegard to the Abbot Manegold
The Letters
Hildegard to the Abbot Manegold 1156-65 A brief letter seeking to lift the abbot's mind from earthly worry to more spiritual concerns.
O father in your calling and brother in the love of God, eradicate the uneasiness of your mind from the eye of your heart, and remove every trace of sadness from yourself and your flock. Now is a time of war against the morals of mankind, for they have neither discipline nor consciousness of the fear of the Lord. As for you, however, do not be afraid because you are the vessel of the fiery Spirit Sometimes you endure tribulation and affliction, but do not be afraid, because the Son of God endured the same things.
Now, live forever and the Holy Spirit will not abandon you.
Hildegard to the Abbot Manegold 1156-65 Another brief letter of praise and exhortation.
In the presence of God, you are like the smoke of myrrh and incense [cf. Cant 3.6], and, therefore, Mt. Sion asks that you be food in the house of Jacob [cf. Gen
42.1 ]. But if anyone cuts down the pillar that supports the entire house, he overthrows the house. Look out the seven windows, and consider what direction the hawk comes from, but take care that he does not carry you off.
Feed your sheep [cf. John 21.17] with mild chastisement, for the day of your salvation has not yet passed, and you will not yet become ashes. Also, be the mirror of life in the eyes of the dove.