The Rosebush

The Rosebush (a reflection on a writing of Hildegard of Bingen)

Hildegard: “I’ll accept the thorns that give off the delicate fragrance of roses. They grew to honor the One who was faithful, and by controlling myself, I’ll give honor to my Lord.”

What are these thorns

that give off a delicate fragrance?

Might they be

the thorns that formed the crown

that Our Savior wore

on the day of His passion?

We know what sweetness came

                from the agony He endured that day.

Might they be

the thorns of our own pain

and agony, or even our mere discomfort

when things don’t go our way?

For when those thorns

are united to His Passion,

all the ill we bear

will in its time become

sweetness and delight,

such as we might already have

tasted during

seasons of grace?

Might they be

the sins that overcome us and baffle us?

We’ve been told that

our sinfulness draws Christ

to us, He Who died for us

“while we were yet sinners.”

He comes to us

and the sweet fragrance of His grace,

delicate as it is,

overwhelms our shame

our discouragement

our frustration

our unworthiness,

and give us the encouragement we need

to set out sights

on the way that leads to His honor.

And you?

What might your thorns be?

And how does your Lord

                turn them into roses?

God bless you! Have a nice weekend.