Julian of Norwich was a contemplative and mystic who lived in the 14th century. It is thought that she was born on November 8, 1342 and lived until 1416, meaning she lived to be 74. She lived at a time when the Plague raged throughout Europe, when many people thought that the world would end, life was so terrible. But, after surviving a severe illness, she came to believe in the grace of God, and her writings are filled with amazing optimism. Here are some excerpts from her work Revelations of Divine Love:
“See that I am God. See that I am in everything. See that I
do everything. See that I have never stopped ordering my works, nor ever shall,
eternally. See that I lead everything on to the conclusion I ordained for it
before time began, by the same power, wisdom and love with which I made it. How
can anything be amiss?”
“If there is anywhere
on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it
was not shown to me. But this was shown: that in falling and rising again we
are always kept in that same precious love.”
“He said not 'Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be
travailed, thou shalt not be dis-eased'; but he said, 'Thou shalt not be
overcome.”
"Grace transforms our failings full of dread into abundant,
endless comfort … our failings full of shame into a noble, glorious rising …
our dying full of sorrow into holy, blissful life. …. Just as our contrariness
here on earth brings us pain, shame and sorrow, so grace brings us surpassing comfort,
glory, and bliss in heaven … And that shall be a property of blessed love, that
we shall know in God, which we might never have known without first
experiencing woe.”
“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of
thing shall be well.”
Dear God, your family is divided. Some of us feel that
darkness has come upon us, and are sad and afraid; others are joyful and see
nothing but light and hope. We have been screaming at each other for months, and
that seems unlikely to stop any time soon without your help. How can we put
these feelings behind us and come together as a family? Please help us to find
the resources to love and respect each other again.
Let us pray for our brother who is the newly-elected
President, that he may govern our beautiful country with wisdom, tolerance,
fairness and equanimity. Surround him with your grace and love.
Let us pray for our brother who is the current president,
that he may be uplifted and sustained by your tender care through the last
months of his presidency. Surround him with your grace and love.
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who fear for their
futures, who are sad and angry, that they will have the fortitude to look past
current disappointment and loss to future contentment. We ask that you hold
them in your infinite embrace and that they be graced with understanding and
faith.
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are feeling
optimistic and joyful, that their hopes for a better life will be fulfilled,
and that they will be kind and considerate to those who are suffering. We ask
that you surround them with the light of your love and grace them with
understanding and charity.
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who seek violent
solutions, that their suffering may find expression in ways that are
constructive and positive. Surround them with your grace and peace.
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters whose anger spills
over into hatred and vengeance, that they may have their hearts turned toward
mercy. Surround them with your grace and love.
Let us pray that the path forward will bestow your blessings
of peace and joy and harmony on all of your human family.
May we be well. May we be happy. May we have ease of body
and mind. May we be at peace.
May our family be well. May our family be happy. May our
family have ease of body and mind. May our family be at peace.
May our leaders be well. May our leaders be happy. May our
leaders have ease of body and mind. May our leaders be at peace.
May our country be well. May our country be happy. May our
country have ease of body and mind. May our country be at peace.
May all beings be well. May all beings be happy. May all
beings have ease of body and mind. May all beings be at peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment