In popular imagination, Medieval Christianity is generally seen as having been obsessed with sin and shame and the avoidance thereof. So far, however, our study of Julian of Norwich’s writings has shown a rather shocking absence of this theme. She certainly takes sin itself seriously, but next to the grandeur of God, it is “no … Continue reading No Shame in Sin
The Gospel reading for this second Sunday in Lent is the story of Nicodemus, a religious leader who is curious about Jesus and comes to him looking for understanding. It ends with some of the most famous words of the New Testament: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that all … Continue reading Gifts of Love
One of the biggest recurring themes in Julian of Norwich’s writings is the idea that God is so much bigger than anything that might try to stand in the way of God’s aims that we don’t need to worry about them. All we are asked to do is to trust that, when all is said … Continue reading Eyes in Front
One of the most fascinating things about Julian of Norwich’s reflections — and what makes them truly stand out from so much of the writing of her time — is how she comes to see God’s love as being so immense that it renders everything else, including evil and sin, so small as to be … Continue reading All Will Be Well …
Over the past few days, our Lenten study with Julian Norwich has taken us to some pretty heady places, talking about the nature of sin, the justice of God in an unjust world, and the relationship between suffering, divinity, and love. But who is this Jesus? Who is this one for whom all the suffering … Continue reading “I am He”
Matthew Root 