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Second Sunday of Lent

Second Sunday of Lent
February 28, 2021
Andrea Westkamp, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Virginia

Hildegard 2 – Listening with the Heart
Hildegard is a great companion - you might have noticed this already as you journeyed with her this past week.

We reflected on penance and conversion last week. Penance, Hildegard reminds us, begins in the heart and so does conversion.

We keep pondering on the heart and Benedict's words that we need to listen with the ear of our heart. Is this what Benedictine Spirituality helps us to realize for our own lives? Realizing that listening is a matter of the heart? What would be different this Lent if we practiced to listen with the heart?

Hildegard gives us an idea:
O, You who are ever
giving life to all life,
moving all creatures,
root of all things,
washing them clean,
wiping out their mistakes,
healing their wounds,
You are our true life,
luminous, wonderful,
awakening the heart
from its ancient sleep.

Listening with the heart "awakens the heart from its ancient sleep." God offers life. According to Hildegard, God also washes us, forgives our sins. God heals our wounds. The "ancient sleep" is Hildegard's metaphor of a life lived without reflection, faith or awareness of God's presence. She reminds us that God continues to give us life, to change our lives. Is it any wonder that she was a composer, praising her God for having touched her life?

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Sister Andrea Westkamp is a member of Saint Benedict Monastery in Bristow, VA. Currently, she is serving as subprioress, canonical treasurer, oblate director and spiritual director. Her background is in pastoral counseling, spiritual direction and early childhood education. She enjoys long walks, artwork, reading mysteries. Her passion is exploring the depth of the Rule of Benedict for our times.

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