When Hildegard tells us that angels “praise the good works of humanity,” as she did in yesterday’s DM, I think Hildegard means that humanity represents a new song to the universe, a new song to these vibratory and deeply musical beings, the angels. We have inspired them to intone a new song simply to welcome us, to honor our works.
Rupert Sheldrake comments:
This implies that by singing this new song, we change the celestial consciousness. The consciousness of God and of the entire universe is changed by human evolution. We normally think of human evolution as being an entirely provincial event here on Earth. Humans can go as far as the moon, rockets can reach Mars and Venus and other planets, but…the influence of human works, in the modern cosmological context, is very limited.
But Hildegard gives a very different perspective. “All of the angels are amazed at humans.” Their new song, inspired by human works, is sung to God. This implies a cosmic effect of humanity. What human beings do on Earth makes a difference to the conscious spirits of the entire universe which is a very big thought indeed.
I responded:
And it’s a very optimistic and hopeful thought. A pride-bearing thought. It’s very expansive. As Aquinas says, “When your mind expands, joy comes.” Empowerment goes with it.
A lot of disempowerment that our culture has felt in the last hundred years might be washed out, purified, cleaned up, by such news as this. If human beings knew that beautiful, good, and powerful beings were watching us, maybe we would stand up more erect and be more beautiful ourselves. We would be inspired to live to our dignity.
Hildegard also has something to say about language and the angels, namely that “the omnipotent God spoke to Adam in the words of the angels, because Adam knew their language well and could understand it.” She raises the question of where languages come from and how they originated, important questions still today as Rupert comments:
From a scientific point of view, no one knows how language arose or evolved. It’s one of the great mysteries. You can’t dig up fossil languages. All you dig up are solid, durable things like flint arrowheads and bones.
We don’t know anything about the sounds that people made when the first languages evolved. Nor do we know whether human languages all arose from a single creative event or whether there were several independent origins of languages.
Adapted from Matthew Fox and Rupert Sheldrake, The Physics of Angels, pp. 162f.
To read the transcript of Matthew Fox’s video teaching, click HERE.
Banner Image: The angel Raphael speaks to and protects the virtuous man Tobias in the apocryphal Book of Tobit. Painting by Giovanni Gerolamo Savoldo in WikiGallery.
Queries for Contemplation
Does hearing that angels “praise the good works of humanity” inspire you to continue more faithfully and more deeply and more joyfully your good works?
Recommended Reading
The Physics of Angels: Exploring the Realm Where Science & Spirit Meet
By Matthew Fox and Rupert Sheldrake
When was the last time a scientist and a theologian discussed angels together? What are angels? Many people believe in angels, but few can define these enigmatic spirits. Now visionary theologian Matthew Fox and acclaimed biologist Rupert Sheldrake—pioneers in modern religious thinking and scientific theory—launch a groundbreaking exploration into the ancient concept of the angel and restore dignity, meaning, and joy to our time-honored belief in these heavenly beings.
14 thoughts on “Hildegard on Angels Praising the Good Works of Humanity”
Matthew, Today you let us know of some other aspects about angels which are new to some of us. For instance, yesterday when you shared that angels “praise the good works of humanity,” and then you comment, “I think Hildegard means that humanity represents a new song to the universe, a new song to these vibratory and deeply musical beings, the angels.” And another point you make about Hildegard’s angelology is: “Hildegard also has something to say about language and the angels, namely that ‘the omnipotent God spoke to Adam in the words of the angels, because Adam knew their language well and could understand it.'”
So, for our Query for Contemplation today, you ask: “Does hearing that angels ‘praise the good works of humanity’ inspire you to continue more faithfully and more deeply and more joyfully your good works? I believe this is true, as well as this statement that you make: “If human beings knew that beautiful, good, and powerful beings were watching us, maybe we would stand up more erect and be more beautiful ourselves. We would be inspired to live to our dignity.” AMEN !!!
As for the origin of languages, it would seem inclusivity would call for credibility to be given to Genesis 11:1, where the coordinated primordial (perennial) tradition goes back to the single spiritual language shared by all — until the Tower of Babel, where it splintered into multiple but parallel dialects, where it remains today, with a world divided because of it. By contrast, the language of Spirit is one — love — and the union/communion resulting thereof. One must be careful in choosing or ignoring Scripture revelation. Science and scientists have their place, but not to replace Old Testament revelation, aspects of which Jesus attested to in his public ministry.
Joe, Thank you for your comment today. It was refreshing to hear your words: “Science and scientists have their place, but not to replace Old Testament revelation, aspects of which Jesus attested to in his public ministry.”
The Spirit and energy of praise is one of exhortation… it’s a creative language, expressed through various forms… which acknowledges, accepts, and really sees the true… which is that inherent beauty and goodness within not only humanity… but the all and the everything of creation… both in the natural and the spiritual realms of existence.
This praise of exhortation expressively and creatively communicated does nurturingly inspire… awakeningly uplift… and compassionately encourage all… to consciously remember, intuitively reclaim and joyously celebrate that original blessing of beauty and the goodness inherent within the very depths of our soul… that we might co-creatively participate in manifesting the image of this likeness of the Creator, whom fashioned and formed all that exists… as diverse and unique expressions of One-self… which continously unfolds, evolves and emerges eternally.
The Angels, through the vibratory resonance and harmonies within the light and sound of praise… assist us in truly seeing, being and living this reality.
Matthew’s current focus on Angels reminds me of American singer/songwriter Eliza Gilkyson’s song CALLING ALL ANGELS. Eliza uses mystic metaphor in many of her songs.
https://genius.com/Eliza-gilkyson-calling-all-angels-lyrics
Gwen, Thank you for sharing about Eliza Gilkyson’s song “Calling All Angell’s” !!!
Canadian review of Gilkyson’s activist prophetic edge:
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/04/08/review-eliza-gilkyson-issues-a-call-to-action-on-2020/
I find it ironic that in Lucas Cranach the Elder’s picture, God is fully clothed while Adam and Eve are naked.
Nilesh, Good eye. And not only are Adam and Eve naked, but everyone else in the painting except God and the angels…
Yes Matthew, it’s good to know that Angels and spirit beings love, guide, and support us on our spiritual journeys here on Mother Earth with all its’ blessings, and difficulties and challenges. God’s Spirit of Love~Wisdom~Peace~Justice~Truth~Beauty~Joy~Creativity… works through them and with-in us to love, praise, and create to continue evolving our unique eternal souls with one another and All Living and ongoing co-Creation/Evolution on earth and in our spiritual multidimensions and multiverse Cosmos… Diverse Loving Oneness of our Beloved Cosmic Christ Consciousness….
🔥❤️🙏
Oh yes, most definitely! SO inspiring 🌱💚🌱
Thank you! YES.
I haven’t read the book The Physics of Angels so maybe that will answer some of my questions, but I have a hard time believing in the actual existence of angels. They certainly aren’t like the artists for centuries have pictured them since no Biblical reference of angels mentions wings. Seraphim and Cherubim are mythological creatures, half animal, half human, with wings, and none of them are children or babies, only grown human appearing men. They sometimes appear as fire, and seem to defy gravity. But do they really even exist?
It appears that the angel(s) depicted in the Lucas Cranach painting are also clothed. Adam and Eve have covered their nakedness, inferring that they have already experienced knowledge that they, going against God’s explicit direction not to eat from the tree with its knowledge of the (duality) – good AND evil – are now separated by their own choice the stripping away of their unity with God. Hence, their nakedness as they are no longer fully ‘clothed’ with all the wisdom of God and God’s angels.