Pastoral Thought--July 8

In the 14th century, Julian of Norwich served God as an anchorite in her hometown of Norwich, England. The city suffered a great deal during the Black Death (1348-50) and felt full impact of the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381. 

Julian lived much of her life in permanent seclusion—as her post dictated. Anchorites were individuals who committed themselves to prayer and solitude for the remainder of their days. They lived in small cells attached to church building that were often ‘bricked up’ so that contact with the outside world ceased. They would commune only with the bishop and could speak to community members through windows above, and below, the line of sight. In these ‘cells of seclusion,’ anchorites prayed and interceded for the church and the community. This was Julian’s life as well; a life we have written down. 

From that place of solitude and constant prayer, she and God communed in a powerful way. 

After suffering from a fever that the bishop felt was going to claim her life, Julian emerged with a profound understanding of God’s love and presence that was with her moment by moment as she suffered. The visions and interactions with God were written down and published after her death in a book entitled, “Revelations of Divine Love.”  Julian wrote: 

“Pray even if you feel nothing, see nothing. For when you are dry, empty, sick or weak, at such a time is your prayer most pleasing to God, even though you may find little joy in it. This is true of all believing prayer."

I do not suffer from either the Black Death or the effects of the Peasants’ Revolt, as Julian did. I am not absent from my community as an anchorite. But I, like many in the church, suffer in other ways. We suffer from a lack desire to be faithful. Too much time can be spend on the internet, watching television, gossiping with a neighbor, complaining to a loved one, judging the faith of someone else. We know that we should spend more time praying, reading, meditation, and serving the world in which God has blessed us with. But we don’t. I don’t. 

This extends into our prayer lives which can feel inadequate or ineffective. But God did not intent this line of community to be a one-way road.

I wonder if instead of dwelling on what I cannot do, or what I cannot receive, or how busy we are, or even on things we judge to be false from those around us, I wonder if we could just come to God and pray? What would that look like and how would it change all of us?  

Blessings

Rev. Derek