God Hugs You

Theme: Love

God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God.

Hildegard of Bingen

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a Benedictine abbess and mystic of medieval Germany. She was born into a noble family in Bermersheim vor der Höhe, Germany, and entered religious life at the age of eight. She received a rudimentary education, but at the age of forty-two, she began to experience a series of visions that would shape her life and work.

Hildegard described these visions as "the living light," and they were often accompanied by physical sensations such as heat, cold, and pain. She believed that these visions were a gift from God, and she felt called to share them with the world. She began to write down her visions, and she also composed music and poetry to express her spiritual insights.

Hildegard was a prolific writer, and her works cover a wide range of topics, including theology, natural science, medicine, and music. She is best known for her three volumes of visionary theology: Scivias, Liber Vitae Meritorum, and Liber Divinorum Operum. These works are rich in symbolism and imagery, and they offer a unique perspective on the nature of God, the human soul, and the world.

In addition to her writings, Hildegard was also a gifted musician and composer. She wrote over 70 songs, including the Ordo Virtutum, an early example of liturgical drama. Her music is characterized by its simple melodies and its use of plainchant.

Hildegard was a complex and multifaceted figure, and her work continues to inspire and challenge people today. She was a visionary, a mystic, a writer, a composer, a scientist, and a healer. She was also a woman of great courage and determination, and she used her gifts to make a difference in the world.

Hildegard of Bingen was a remarkable woman who left a lasting legacy. She was a pioneer in the fields of theology, natural science, and music, and her work continues to be studied and appreciated today. She was also a powerful voice for women's rights, and she challenged the patriarchal structures of her time. Hildegard of Bingen was a true visionary, and she continues to inspire us with her courage, her intellect, and her creativity.

(1098-1179) Christianity
Book of Divine Works

Hildegard of Bingen. Book of Divine Works, translated by Matthew Fox, Bear & Company, 2001, p. 185.

Hildegard of Bingen

Theme: Love

Commentary About This Hildegard of Bingen Quote [Brief Commentary]

This quote “God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God” is from Hildegard of Bingen’s Book of Divine Works, also known as De operatione Dei. The work was composed between 1163 and 1174, and it is Hildegard’s last major work of visionary theology.

The quote appears in the fifth vision of the second part of the work. In this vision, Hildegard sees a great cloud of light, and she hears a voice saying, “God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God.”

Hildegard of Bingen’s visionary theology, particularly through her quotation “God hugs you. You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God,” offers a profound exploration of divine love that transcends the conventional boundaries of theological discourse. Within the context of her Book of Divine Works, this statement is not merely poetic; it is a theological assertion that emphasizes the immediacy and intimacy of God’s love for humanity. Hildegard’s description of being enveloped in God’s arms speaks to a personal experience of the divine that is nurturing, protective, and all-encompassing. This imagery, especially coming from the medieval period, is revolutionary, presenting God not as a distant or judgmental figure but as an accessible presence, akin to a mother’s unconditional love. Her use of maternal language to describe God’s relationship with humanity challenges and expands the traditional paternalistic view, making the divine love more tangible and relatable.

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Commentary About This Hildegard of Bingen Quote [Longer Commentary]

The backdrop of Hildegard’s vision, where she hears a voice amidst a great cloud of light affirming that “God hugs you,” illustrates her belief in a God who is not only transcendent but also immanent and intimately involved in the human experience. This vision is emblematic of Hildegard’s broader theological perspective that divine love is the foundation and sustaining force of the universe. By portraying God in maternal terms, Hildegard emphasizes the nurturing, protective aspects of divine love, suggesting that it is both a source of strength and a refuge in times of difficulty. Her interpretation invites believers to view their relationship with God as one of reciprocal love and comfort, highlighting that divine love is an active, sustaining force in the world, capable of overcoming isolation and despair.

Hildegard’s innovative portrayal of divine love as maternal not only enriches our understanding of the divine but also encourages a more inclusive and compassionate spirituality. By emphasizing God’s love as encompassing and protective, she fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance that is deeply comforting. This perspective invites individuals to experience God’s love as a reality that nurtures and sustains, echoing the universal longing for connection and reassurance in the divine embrace. Hildegard’s message is timeless, reminding us that at the heart of our existence is a love that seeks to embrace and uplift us, encouraging a deeper, more personal engagement with the divine mystery that surrounds and penetrates our lives.

Hildegard of Bingen’s Vision About the Divine Feminine

“I heard a voice speaking to me: ‘The young woman whom you see is Love. She has her tent in eternity… It was love which was the source of this creation in the beginning when God said: ‘Let it be!’ And it was. As though in the blinking of an eye, the whole creation was formed through love. The young woman is radiant in such a clear, lightning-like brilliance of countenance that you can’t fully look at her… She holds the sun and moon in her right hand and embraces them tenderly… The whole of creation calls this maiden ‘Lady.’ For it was from her that all of creation proceeded, since Love was the first. She made everything… Love was in eternity and brought forth, in the beginning of all holiness, all creatures without any admixture of evil. Adam and Eve, as well were produced by love from the pure nature of the Earth.”

—Adapted from Matthew Fox, Hildegard of Bingen: A Saint For Our Times, pp. xiii, xiv, xvi.

God Hugs You

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