Strengthening the Soul

The soul is strengthened to all manner of good works by the fire of the Holy Spirit, but it is weakened by the fire of indifference and neglect. The powerful fire and its contrite disposition mingle in human beings and bring forth good fruit. If humans are overburdened and wearied by sins, these sins will all gather together as a fire is smothered by thick smoke and can no longer burn brightly. But if through the power of the soul the greed of human desire is broken, then we burst out with longing for the Father's heavenly home, just as the bee constructs its comb from its own honey. In this way, the new works and old deeds of human beings are so intermingled that they are bound together in true humility, and the fire of pride cannot consume or dry them up.

Hildegard of Bingen

De Operatione Dei, Vision Four