Wisdom from Walter Hilton

2011-09-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

Weather Wreaks Havoc—Crops Destroyed

Weakness and Self-Centeredness Dominates Among Our Leaders

Misery and Deprivation Overwhelms Citizenry

Cries of melancholy, self-pity and anger command our daily discourse as it did 660 years ago in the days of the Black Plague when Walter Hilton ministered as the Augustinian canon in England’s rural north. As a monk who closely affiliated himself with the common people, speaking in their vernacular, Hilton urged the inhabitants of his district to intentionally practice five essentials.

Fundamentally, he called them into fostering a deep love for God coupled with a profound love for all people, inside and outside of the church. This intimate relationship with the heavenly father would result in fountains of virtue, grace, mercy and forgiveness toward others.

This resulted in service to the community as a whole and to all individuals—shopkeepers, laborers, officials, neighbors or the destitute. Humility and sacrifice in all relationships should be evident especially toward the weak, the infirmed, and the needy.

He further taught that one’s faith ought to be visible in every interaction, displaying the three transcendentals: goodness, beauty and truth. Through these, the Gospel would be readily perceived.

“Salting” people freely with justice, righteousness, kindness and respect allowed for true humanity to be experienced in this transient and decaying society. Hope would find expression, so people might strive to perfect their love for God, for people and for creation.

A final essential for Christian maturity for Hilton revolved around the practice of sanctifying one’s ordinary life. This meant making every activity, whether mundane or exceptional, into an expression of love for the Lord Jesus. Visiting the shut-in, washing the dishes, or feeding one’s sheep could be just as holy as bringing spiritual ministry to another.

Opening Windows

Wisdom from Walter Hilton