All shall be well

08May
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well. 

-St. Julian of Norwich


I encountered Julian of Norwich 29 years ago during a period clouded with grief after my mother’s death. It cannot be a secular coincidence that, upon opening the Satucket Lectionary for today, there she was on her feast day, greeting me like an old friend. Some months after losing my father and a very dear friend, there again were her words: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” 


Julian received that message in one of her 16 visions that occurred over two days in May, 1373. Julian struggled with the existence of sin and evil; she was troubled over the fate of those who had never heard of the gospel through no fault of their own. And the black plague threatened society. And that is when Jesus informed her in a vision that sin was necessary…yet all would be well. 


Julian was an anchoress, meaning she was a female recluse living in a small cell built against the wall of St. Julian’s Church in Norwich. The ritual of enclosure that establishes the seclusion is partially excerpted from the office for the burial of the dead. The anchoress makes herself a recluse from the world in order to be free for God, and in her cell she inhabits a liminal space between this world and the next. 


Julian devoted her life to prayer and contemplation of the meaning of her visions, which culminated in her book titled Revelations of Divine Love. Recognized as one of the most remarkable documents of medieval religious experience, the book transmits an optimistic theology based on the certainty of being loved and protected by God. 


Centuries later, at the commemoration of the 650th year anniversary of Julian’s visions, the following message from Pope Francis was read at the Anglican cathedral in Norwich: “Faith and service are timeless truths underpinning not only the life of Christian discipleship but the very fabric of a just and fraternal society.” The Pope stressed generous service to those in need in this message. 


The Pope expanded on Julian’s meditations on the love and mercy of God to remind us of, to include, the mandate of service that is Christianity - Christ-like service. Doesn’t Trinity Church do the same in its words and its outreach. Quoting from its website, “Humble service to others is a value we cherish.” The challenge of finding that perfect union comes to mind - when our hearts and minds unite with action to help and serve others. Maybe we should look to Julian’s quiet optimism and faith for reinforcement. 


Musical Reflection  - All Will Be Well - Julian of Norwich - Warner


Triune God, Father and Mother to us all, who showed your servant Julian revelations of your nurturing and sustaining love: Move our hearts, like hers, to seek you above all things, for in giving us yourself you give us all. Amen.

Prayer of Julian of Norwich 

FaithEasterSaints

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