The Sixth and final reflection on the life of Julian of Norwich written by Rev. Diane Smith.
Not much is known about Julian, but we do know that that she was a quiet, reflective individual and that her way of coming close to God was to be by herself. In these days of isolation from many people and many activities, she is someone we can look to for inspiration.
Julian was not always alone; many say she enjoyed the company of a cat. We do give thanks to God for our pets at this time, who we can touch and groom and hold.
Sometimes when Julian was thinking about God, she would call God ‘Mother’. She was not the first to do this, but she did so with great care. She wanted to unite the Motherhood of God and the Fatherhood of God because God is so much bigger than either picture. She said of the Holy Trinity, “Fatherhood means power and goodness while Motherhood means wisdom and lovingness”.
This coming Sunday is Trinity Sunday and these words of Julian can assist us in our understanding.
Julian had many questions about God (a healthy sign of faith), but always believed that everything that God did was done in love and for love. We are now gradually coming out of this time of Social Isolation, but dear Julian remained quietly in her cell until she died. We remember her for her writing and her wise council and care of others and her great love of God.
Julian has been a good friend in these days.
A Prayer
Gracious God, love in essence
Thank you for all those down through the centuries who have inspired others to follow you.
Some have travelled the globe and some have remained at home.
Thank you for the witness of Julian of Norwich.
Thank you for all those who have helped us through this testing season.
Amen.
Julian of Norwich, was an English anchorite of the Middle Ages. She wrote the earliest surviving book in the English language to be written by a woman, Revelations of Divine Love.
She lived practically her whole life in the city of Norwich. In 1373, aged thirty and so seriously ill she thought she was on her deathbed, Julian received a series of visions of the Passion of Christ. She recovered from her illness and wrote two versions of her experiences, the earlier one being completed soon after her recovery, and a much longer version, known as the Long Text, being written many years later.
For much of her life, Julian lived in permanent seclusion in her cell, which was attached to St. Julian’s Church, Norwich. Though not canonised she is widely referred to as “Saint”, “Lady” and “Mother”.