Hildegard of Bingen: quickening sparkle on the Rhine




Voices Found #105

O praise be to you Holy Trinity, 
resounding jubilation and life of all that is.
to our Mother Great Creator of all things living and of life itself.
O angelic chorus sounding forth in joyful praise!
O the wonderful silent splendor of the holy mysteries,
Trinity shining brilliance unknown to women or to men.
O quickening sparkle dwelling in all! Life-giving Life!
Life of all things gloriously created!

Words and music: Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
Singing translation Lisa Neufeld Thomas  

Mark 4:21-25 and Romans:5:6-11 are appointed for Proper 24B in The Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church

Jesus said,"A lamp is not lighted to be put under the grain basket, under the bed and not on the lamp stand, is it?"  " Let the one who has ears to hear, heed!"  "Watch what you hear."
Mark 4: 21,23-24, tr. Gafney

Reflection:

Hildegard of Bingen embodied God's quickening sparkle.  She saw  the Living Light.  She sang the angel chorus. Music and light quickened her vision of God.    In her Ordo Virtutem,  (The Play of Powers),  only the Devil  does not sing. The Tempter cannot make music.

Meditation:
God proves God's love for us in that while we were sinners the Messiah died for us.  Much more then, now that we have been justified by the blood of the Messiah, will we be saved from the wrath [to come.] Romans 5:8-9, tr. Gafney

Voices Found # 46

Emmanuel! The angel's ancient chorus
today unfolds before us, the final triumph starts.
Emmanuel! Within that name a treasure,
announcing God's good pleasure to dwell within our hearts.

Emmanuel! This Jesus meek and lowly,
has made us sinners holy, by his almighty blood.
Emmanuel! Forgiveness has been spoken,
the kingdom now is open, and we behold our God!

Words and Music: Betsey Mulloy

Breathing prayer

Deep breath in: O angelic chorus
Deep breath out: sound forth in praise
Deep breath in: O quickening sparkle
Deep breath out: enliven  me.
Deep breath in: O shining brilliance 
Deep breath: lead brightly on. 



Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.
Catharine, Princess of Wales, September 2024,  commenting on her battle with cancer.
 

                                                                    




 


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