Julian of Norwich lived from about 1342 to about 1416. She was an anchorite in medieval England, who lived out her days in a tiny room set apart from the rest of society. She wanted to become an anchorite because she wanted to share the life-changing revelations she’d received in a series of visions. Setting herself apart from the world was the best way for Julian to ensure she could compose a message of God’s love for the world.
She knew that God showed her these visions of love “because He wished to have it known more than it is.” She knew she felt compelled to share. “Be well aware: love was His meaning. Who showed it thee? Love. What showed He thee? Love. Why did He show it thee? For love,” Julian wrote (Fr. John-Julian, The Complete Julian of Norwich).
In an era of limited possibilities for women, God made Julian a messenger of God’s love and desire to live in union with all creation.
This message is excerpted from “Messenger of God’s love” by Laura Jane Gifford in the May 2017 Gather magazine. Today we commemorate Julian of Norwich, renewer of the church, c. 1416.
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