The Anchoress of Norwich...

With reference to this blog's 'motto', I though it would be a good idea to actually write something on women; more specifically, on a woman; and namely, Blessed Julian of Norwich. It is that strange and unsettling time of year when things seem to be drawing to a kind of close. Time presses, and many of us begin to feel again the weight of "all that is", and in a sense, "all that must be". Perhaps it has something to do with the time of year, or the unfortunate circumstance of climate (sorry Texans) that prevents us from immersing ourselves totally in the season: there is something uniquely satisfying in the falling of a leaf. It sings to us, "It is finished." But, we linger here on the frayed strings of summer, wishing for closure and a new beginning...That's where Julian comes in.
She actually happened upon me today when I was reminding a friend of mine to be patient with herself. We can get so frustrated with our own incapacity, weakness, and propensity for sin that the world seems a great weight, and it seems that no amount of time will ever be enough to make things right. Julian recognized this also, and asked Our Lord about it. He, in turn, showed her the whole world - "all that is" - in the guise of a hazelnut resting in the palm of His wounded hand. This image forces us to see the universe inside out, in a way; and through it, we can glimpse the magnitude of God's mercy... He Who keeps the stars, keeps me. In response to Julian's deep sadness for sin, and her own weakness, God gives her a special grace that causes her to look ahead in hope instead of looking back in consternation and fear. He obliterates all the 'what-if's' in our lives with: "But all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of thing shall be well."
Let us harden our hearts with hope!
Jesus, we trust in You.