A congregation of the United Church of Canada
NOTICINGS…
July 28, 2021
This summer we’re hearing the voices of women mystics. I invite you to read each quotation slowly and prayerfully. Do not hurry. Linger. Savour. Pray.
This week we ponder the words of Julian of Norwich…
The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything.
God is the ground, the substance,
the teaching, the teacher,
the purpose, and the reward for which every soul labours.
Between God and the soul there is no between.
Wouldst thou learn thy Lord’s meaning in this thing?
Learn it well: Love was His meaning.
Who showed it thee? Love.
What showed He thee? Love.
Wherefore showed it He? For Love.
Hold thee therein and thou shalt learn and know more in the same.
But thou shalt never know nor learn therein other thing without end.
Thus was I learned that Love was our Lord’s meaning.
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.
In 1373, when she was about 30 years old, Julian of Norwich nearly died. A priest came to her bedside to issue her last rites and show her an image of Jesus Christ. Julian not only miraculously recovered but received the 16 revelations that would ultimately make her one of the most famous female mystics of all time. Julian documented each revelation in her book, Revelations of Divine Love in Sixteen Showings [Shewings].
Shalom,
Rev. Larry