Then I saw that every impulse of loving compassion we have toward our fellow human beings is the Christ in us...He wants us to know that all our pain… - Julian of Norwich
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Then I saw that every impulse of loving compassion we have toward our fellow human beings is the Christ in us...He wants us to know that all our pain will be transformed into blessings and honor by virtue of his passion. He wants us to realize that we never suffer alone, but always together with him, and to rest in him as our foundation. And he wants us to see that his pains and his tribulation so far exceed our greatest suffering that no one can fully grasp it. If we carefully contemplate his intention for us, it will keep us from grumbling and despairing in the face of our pain and grief. Although we may think we deserve to suffer because of our sins, we need to believe that his love excuses us. Our courteous Beloved dismisses all blame. He looks upon us with nothing but sympathy and mercy, as the children we are: guileless, innocent.
Julian of Norwich (c. 8 November 1342 – c. 1416) was an English Christian mystic and theologian. Little is known of her life. Even her name is uncertain, the name "Julian" probably originated from the Church of St. Julian, Norwich, where she was an anchoress.
Biography information from
Wikiquote·
Portrait adapted from
Wikimedia Commons, Poliphilo (Public domain / CC0)
Also Known As
Alternative Names:
Juliana of Norwich
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St. Julian of Norwich
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St. Juliana of Norwich
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Juliana
Here may we see that we have verily of Nature to hate sin, and we have verily of Grace to hate sin. For Nature is all good and fair in itself, and Grace was sent out to save Nature and destroy sin, and bring again fair nature to the blessed point from whence it came: that is God; with more nobleness and worship by the virtuous working of Grace. For it shall be seen afore God by all His Holy in joy without end that Nature hath been assayed in the fire of tribulation and therein hath been found no flaw, no fault. Thus are Nature and Grace of one accord: for Grace is God, as Nature is God: He is two in manner of working and one in love; and neither of these worketh without other: they be not disparted.
But here shewed our courteous Lord the moaning and the mourning of the soul, signifying thus: I know well thou wilt live for my love, joyously and gladly suffering all the penance that may come to thee; but in as much as thou livest not without sin thou wouldest suffer, for my love, all the woe, all the tribulation and distress that might come to thee. And it is sooth. But be not greatly aggrieved with sin that falleth to thee against thy will. And here I understood that that the Lord beholdeth the servant with pity and not with blame. For this passing life asketh not to live all without blame and sin.
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It pleaseth Him that we seek Him and worship through means, understanding that He is the Goodness of all. For the Goodness of God is the highest prayer, and it cometh down to the lowest part of our need. It quickeneth our soul and bringeth it on life, and maketh it for to waxen in grace and virtue. It is nearest in nature; and readiest in grace: for it is the same grace that the soul seeketh, and ever shall seek till we know verily that He hath us all in Himself enclosed. For He hath no despite of that He hath made, nor hath He any disdain to serve us at the simplest office that to our body belongeth in nature, for love of the soul that He hath made to His own likeness.
