And notwithstanding all the stir and eager revival of the Fourteenth
Century in religion, politics, literature and general life, there
was much both of sin and of sorrow then to exercise the pitiful
soul--troubles enough in Norwich itself, of oppression and riot and
desolating pestilence--troubles enough in Europe, West and East,--wars
and enslaving and many cruelties in distant lands, and harried Armenian
Christians coming to the Court of Edward to plead for succour in
their long-enduring patience. There was trouble wherever one looked;
but to prayer, and to that compassion which is in itself a prayer,
the answer came. Indeed the compassion was its own first immediate
answer: for "then I saw that each kind compassion that man hath on his
_even-Cristen_ (his fellow-Christians) with charity, _it is Christ in
him_." This is the comfort that both comforts in waiting and calls to
deeds of help. And such "charity" of social service was not beyond the
scope of the life "enclosed,"--whether it might be by deed or, as more
often, by speech.[10]
It is in her seeking for truth and her beholding of Love that we best
know Julian. Of the opening of the Revelation she says: "In all this
I was greatly stirred in charity to mine even-Christians, that they
might see and know the same that I saw: for I would it were comfort to
them," and again and again throughout the book she declares that the
"special Shewing" is given not for her in special, but for all--for all
are meant to be one in comfort as all are one in need. "Because of the
Shewing I am not good, but if I love God the better: and in as much as
ye love God the better it is more to you than to me.... For we are all
one in comfort. For truly it was not shewed me that God loved me better
than the least soul that is in grace; for I am certain that there be
many that never had any Shewing nor sight but of the common teaching of
Holy Church that love God better than I. For if I look singularly to
myself I am right nought; but in general [manner of regarding] I am, I
hope, in oneness of charity with all mine even-Christians. For in this
oneness standeth the life of all mankind that shall be saved, and that
which I say of me, I say in the person of all mine even-Christians: for
I am taught in the Spiritual Shewing of our Lord God that He meaneth
it so. And therefore I pray you for God's sake, and counsel you for
your own profit that ye leave the beholding of a worthless creature [a
"wretch"] it was shewed to and mightily, wisely and meekly behold God
that of His special goodness would shew it generally, in comfort of us
all" (ix.).
Thus Julian turns our eyes from looking _on_ her to looking _with_ her
on the Revelation of Divine Love.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account