Mechtild of Magdeburg 		November 20
Mystic, Prophet
Mechtild is the most outstanding example of a number of mystics and prophets of the thirteenth century. It was the time of the crusades; but it was also a period that saw a renewed interest in the beauty of nature and in matters of the spirit. The lyrical and even romantic style of contemporary literature became the vehicle of passionate outpourings of love to Christ and to God.
Most of what we know about Mechtild comes from her own writings. She was born in 1210 of a noble family from Saxony. Her first significant religious experience was at the age of 12, when she came to see “all things in God and God in all things”. In 1233 she went to Magdeburg and joined a group of Beguines, women who lived in communities under temporary vows and devoted their lives to caring for the sick and the poor.
Mechtild continued to have religious experiences, and put herself under such stringent discipline that she became ill. Then she developed an overwhelming sense of God’s love, and at the suggestion of her confessor began to write down her Revelations, which she called The Flowing Light of the Godhead. The themes of love and longing for God, and God’s love and longing for us dominate her writings. She lived in Magdeburg for many years, probably in the Convent of St Agnes, a Cistercian house that later became a Dominican one. It is possible that Mechtild became abbess from 1273. Her mysticism did not take her away from the world, and she became a trenchant critic of the abuses of the church of her day. This led to some vigorous opposition to her and accusations of heresy. There is no doubt that her position as a woman in a male-dominated society increased the difficulties for her.
In her old age, blind and in failing health, Mechtild sought refuge in the Cistercian convent at Helfde in Saxony. She dictated the seventh and last book of her work there. Helfde was a cheerful place, combining study and practical work. Mechtild died there in 1297.
For Liturgical Use
Mechtild of Magdeburg was born in 1210 and in 1233 joined a group of Beguines, women devoted to charitable work, living in community under temporary vows. She had powerful religious experiences, dominated by the thought of “all things in God and God in all things”. She wrote these down in a book called The Flowing Light of the Godhead. She was also a trenchant critic of abuses in the church of the day. This led to some strong opposition. She spent her last years in a convent in Saxony and died there in 1297.
Sentence
You, O God, are not far from each one of us, for in you we live and move and have our being.	
				Acts 17:27,28 (adapted)
Collects
All-embracing God,
you called your servant Mechtild
to proclaim your love
and to challenge abuses in your church;
may we come to see all things in you
and your presence in all things,
that we may witness to your care;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Blessed are you, high and holy God,
in Mechtild, the visionary, the spiritual writer,
and in the thousands who chose, like her,
the better part with you;
may we too grow in grace
and enjoy your heavenly treasure.
Psalms 	104:25-35	139
Readings
2 Kings 6:15-17		Seeing God’s power
1 Thessalonians 1:2-5a	God has chosen you
Luke 12:22-34		Seek the kingdom
Post Communion Sentence
Jesus said, “On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
				John 14:20