Rector’s Reflection - January

In this little thing I saw three properties.
The first is that God made it.
The second that God loves it.
And the third, that God keeps it.

-          Julian of Norwich

This quote is from the earliest surviving book by a woman in the English language – Julian of Norwich’s Showings, also known as Revelations of Divine Love, first published in 1373. In it she recounts visions she received while on what all believed was her death bed. The “little thing” God showed her was something the size of a hazelnut. She wondered what it could be, and the answer came: “it is all that is made.”

God made it. God loves it. God keeps it. This revelation of divine love feels like bedrock to me. How different would our lives be, how different would our faith be, if we saw everything in light of this revelation? In our industrial, capitalist society, we are tempted to believe there are things that we build, that we love, that we keep. And that if we don’t keep doing, those things will fall apart.

When you’re in your home, look around and remember that everything in there is only possible because of the gift of creation. Everything is built from something. When you consider your relationships, those people you love and who love you, remember that those loves are a mere reflection of the infinite love of God. When you save money, or store up goods, remember all things are impermanent but nothing is ever lost in God’s economy.

There is a more famous quote from Julian, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” To me, today, this means that God is the safety net that never fails. It means that while God calls each of us to the work of God’s reign, we need not worry if what we are doing is enough. This revelation frees me from guilt and anxiety so that I can offer whatever gifts I have with joy, putting my whole trust in the One who made it, loves it, and keeps it.

Peace,

Pastor Kristine