St. Hildegard of Bingen was Every Woman
It is no secret that St. Hildegard of Bingen was every woman. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, her life served as a testament to God’s expansive creativity embodied in every single one of us. Whether you know St. Hildegard primarily as a mystic, poet, composer, philosopher, playwright, herbalist, Benedictine nun, visionary, preacher, traveler, or leader–she truly was, every woman. Attentive to God’s calling, she listened, with the ear of her heart, and became the person God needed her to be. Like St. Paul in today’s first reading, through her life, St. Hildegard too says, “..by the grace of God I am what I am.” (Cor. 15:10).
However, it may be difficult for us to aspire to such a life. Our capitalist society often prevents such personal expansion and experimentation. We are raised to assume one box, one specialty, one area of expertise, one vocation. For many, our niche is something we choose at a very young age or as a means for survival. All while our hearts may long for something else. It is no wonder Sylvia Plath’s fig tree metaphor from The Bell Jar (1963) has circulated various existential corners of the internet for years. If you’re unfamiliar, the speaker views her life like a fig tree, and each fig represents a different path in life. There is a fig for being a mother, poet, professor, traveler, editor, and much more. Then, as the speaker looks at these figs, unable to choose, they begin to rot and fall to the ground, symbolizing the anxiety and fear behind choosing the wrong path and wanting every single one. I wonder if St. Hildegard ever felt she had to choose a fig or two. I think her context and vocation as a Benedictine nun in the high middle ages certainly helped direct her endeavors. But ultimately, like Mary Magdalene, and several other women throughout church history, she listened to what God implored her to do– which was to be herself.
And her truest self, was every woman. As St. Hildegard’s life unfolded, she became who she was meant to be. “I’m every woman, it’s all in me,” indeed St. Hildegard’s gifts and talents were natural to her personhood, and they did not intend to optimize or conquer. Although we are often encouraged to ensure our gifts and talents optimize our lives in some capacity, St. Hildegard was simply answering her call from God and serving the church. Like the Trinity, fully integrated and realized, leaving no gift unexplored or ignored, she became every woman. When God’s Spirit of diversity, fully integrated and enmeshed, interdependent and strong, not staying fixed within the walls of society or a convent or a church. St. Hildegard of Bingen serves as an exemplar of expansion. Ensuring none of her gifts were overshadowed or undermined, yet, undefined in Earthly terms, but fueled by God.
In her writings, all glory is given to God, the tree who produced the figs and placed them in her midst. May we do our best, to take stock of the figs around us too. Let us not whither on the ground in the pain of choosing, but rather embrace what we can, when we can, making space for our entire beings. May we be, and continue to be, every woman.
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