Julian of Norwich

Today's devotional is written by Kate Souther, our Faith Formation Summer Inern Lead. Kate will share future reflections throughout the summer about important figures in church history, today her reflection focuses on Julian of Norwich

Julian of Norwich was an anchoress (similar to a nun, but she was ‘anchored’ and could not leave her room in the church) who lived from 1342 – 1430 in medieval Norwich, England. Like many medieval saints, her spiritual journey was launched forward with a vision of Christ bleeding on his deathbed. After receiving this vision, she wrote The Revelations of Divine Love in 1373, which is thought to be the oldest surviving English book written by a woman. The book is considered one of the greatest documents of medieval religious experience and individual spirituality in existence.
 
The Revelations of Divine Love spans a huge range of theological topics, from mysticism (using the imagination to better understand Scripture) to the reasons for the presence of evil on Earth. She is known for describing God’s motherly love, emphasizing the verses in Luke 13 that describe God as a mother hen. Her precise and profound theological insights have shaped the way we view womanhood in the church, from nuns to Mary to a feminine image of God, for centuries. She famously wrote: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well”. She also describes the Holy Trinity through a uniquely human lens – God made us, God loves us, and God cares for us. This helps us see the Maker, Redeemer, and Sustainer, three in one, in a personal and tangible way.
 
Julian of Norwich’s writing combines both deep theological understanding and an intimate relationship with God. I pray that today, we can all embody the spirit of Julian and understand both the simplicity and complexity of our faith. May we all be as open to the earth-shattering divine love that inspired her works and continues working within us, each and every day.