We proclaim God’s kingdom in many different ways: in our words, in our actions, and in our acts of charity. Jesus often proclaimed God’s kingdom by healing the sick, by restoring the broken, and by raising the dead. He has proclaims God’s kingdom in the Gospel today by raising the son of a heartbroken widow. Today we celebrate the feast day of Hildegard of Bingen, who was declared to be a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict 16 in 2012. Hildegard was the abbess and founder of a Benedictine covenant in Germany in the 12th century. She expressed her faith in many creative ways: as a poet, an artist, a doctor, a pharmacist, a musician, and a composer. At a time when women were not normally looked upon for wisdom or advice, Hildegard was searched out for counsel and spiritual advice by popes, royalty, the nobility, and religious leaders. People from all over came to her for healing and to hear her preach and teach. She practiced herbal medicine and was a well-respected scientist who was one of the first Christians to incorporate ecology and caring for the earth into our theology. She wrote and directed theater productions. Her mystical visions were under examination by the Church authorities of her day, because of their radical nature and new vision. Yet, even today, the visions and example of this remarkable woman give us insight into what God is all about.
I love the words of this beautiful prayer written by Hildegard of Bingen, dedicated to the Holy Spirit:
Holy Spirit, the life that gives life -
You are the cause of all movement,
You are the breath of all creatures,
You are the salve that purifies our soul,
You are the ointment that heals our wounds,
You are the fire that warms our hearts,
You are the light that guides our feet.
Let all the world praise you, Holy Spirit.
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