Skip to main content

Julian of Norwich

From Rachel Matthews:

Today we read about Julian of Norwich, one of my favorite anchoresses. Tuesdays have been wonderful reflection points but today I find myself with not much to say. Things that I have put off since we moved here are looming over me. I turned down a wonderful gift of hospitality last night to be with the Monday Munchers. That made me sad but I did get some stuff done I really need to do. Mornings that are stressful are exactly when I am most grateful for the discipline that nudges me to sit and think and pray just for 10 minutes. The rush of life needs Julians who will listen and offer a prayer and word of guidance. I need Julian of Norwich to say to me, "All will be well, all manner of things will be well." She lived it.

What strikes me most this morning about her is that she was there at a calling of God but she was not there alone. There were political structures that approved and encouraged and paid for her well being in that little house, the church structures which the society revolved around. Her being there was necessary. As oppressive as some of those structures were and as oppressive as Julian's call seems to be, her being there was a gift that has lived on for centuries. So I receive her small gift of hospitality given in the midst of struggle. A gift of hospitality like this even if it is a word written down or the sharing of why you feel led to do what you do to another person can make a huge impact in someone else's life. Thank you, Julian, for your encouragement, for reminding me of what is important and what is not, for reminding me to not be afraid, just love.

Comments

  1. JudiMarch 13, 2018 at 3:44 PM

    Thank you for the gift of sharing with us on Tuesdays. I so look forward to hearing what you are thinking. Be not afraid, or in the words of Julian:
    “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.”
    “The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love.”
    “God, of your goodness, give me yourself; you are enough for me, and anything less that I could ask for would not do you full honor. And if I ask anything that is less, I shall always lack something, but in you alone I have everything'.”
    ― Julian of Norwich

    ReplyDelete
  2. pmyMarch 13, 2018 at 7:39 PM

    Thank you for sharing. I was reminded of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings. He was tired, frightened, hiding in the cave, yet he was not alone. An angel came to minister to him. There were other incidents that God (or His angels) came to him. Even when he thought he was alone, he was never really alone.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Holy Saturday

From Rachel Matthews - Today I have been chopping, measuring, mixing, cooking, mixing some more, kneading, baking, waiting, waiting, tasting, arranging, cleaning, preparing.....and preparing....for guests. It is what you do at a funeral. Either you are preparing to serve and comfort the bereaved or, as the bereaved, you are preparing to receive the community, the family, the loved ones to walk with you to the grave and back again. Holy Saturday feels like the days before a funeral. Suspended between death and life, you just carry on. You work, as usual, but not. That's what the women who loved the Rabbi were doing: preparing the spices, arranging the body (Christ's body), wrapping, loving and weeping, and waiting, and waiting and preparing....for guests. I am giddy thinking about the surprise that awaited them - the Guest!! And, I am giddy waiting for our guests to come to our home. My boys won't be here, so there is grief. I miss them so much. But, the new Amer...
Post a Comment
Read more

Thoughts on Lent and Deuteronomy

From David Bauer: Holy Solitude We learn a variety of ways that help us find solitude: fasting for a set time, changing a daily schedule, time out to be alone. In college I discovered there were times I did my best study by going to the busy student union. In the midst of the hubbub, I found meaningful inner space that helped me focus. In retirement I often get up at 5:00 a.m. to engage in biblical and theological study. I may ask myself: how does this idea or view help me better understand my faith? Why? Ok. Recently. I asked myself, who was King Josiah? (My dad used to talk about his Uncle Josiah who lived in Taylorville). King Josiah was said to be a good king among many who were not good in the time after King David and King Solomon. Yes, people went through the rituals of religion but had little heart or understanding. Selfish and idolatrous behavior was all over the place. Anyway, King Josiah decided to have a fund drive to raise money to repair the temple in Jerusalem. Work...
Post a Comment
Read more

Practicing a holy Lent

As I have grown in my faith, I have come to realize that the time of Lent can be powerful. I did not always know this, especially as a protestant. My Catholic friends would give up things, but I somehow felt superior that I didn't have to go in for that stuff. I could eat all the meat I wanted to on Fridays. And Easter could be powerful, with trumpet fanfare accompanying my mother playing the organ, the glory of Easter lilies, the hymns sung but once a year. Then I married Jay, whose Catholic practices impinged on my feelings of superiority. Lent included fasting and abstaining from meat on Fridays, once we were married.  So I started following some of those practices each year, and I found I really looked forward to Easter, not only to be able to have those things I had given up, but because this season of Lent became real.  I discovered that Easter was far more meaningful if I observed Lent more than just on Sundays.  So, I invite you to join us as we journe...
Post a Comment
Read more