Reading
Galatians 5:22-26
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
Devotion
 |
| Image of Hadewijch in mosaic by Henk Hilterman (1989) in the St. Bavo Cathedral in Haarlem. |
April 22nd is the feast of Hadewijch of Brabant. Hadewijch was a Dutch 13th century mystic and poet. Hadewijch’s mystical experiences centered on "Minne," a concept of divine love that is intense, transformative, and both joyous and painful. Her visions often depicted an ecstatic union with Christ, reflecting a deep yearning for spiritual intimacy and the soul’s ascent toward God. She believed that true love of God naturally leads to greater love for others, emphasizing engagement with the world rather than withdrawal.
I like this mosaic because it portrays both introspection and communication. It is a challenging endeavor to take mystical experience and express it in words. The face and posture of the figure, the eyes closed and hand over the heart seem to symbolize the depth of her inner experience. The quill held over her heart makes me think of the heartfelt beauty of her words. I love how she appears to be in the pause before writing. How often today in a world of expressive content and influencers does anyone pause to ponder before posting I wonder? Myself included!!
Prayer
Triune God of Love, overwhelming and all-encompassing: Visit us in our solitude and in our companionship, and draw us ever more deeply into union with you, who are ever present and ever mysterious; that we, like your servant Hadewijch, might know you ever more fully, even as we have been fully known. Amen. (Lesser Feasts and Fasts)