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Pax et Bonum The Online worship resource for St. James Parish To see the world in a grain of Sand
And a heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour. --William Blake--
The Love of God most High for our soul is so wonderful that it surpasses all knowledge. No created being can know the greatness, the sweetness, and the tender love that our Maker has for us. By his grace and help therefore let us in spirit stand an gaze, eternally marveling at the surpreme, surpassing, single-minded, incalculable love that God, who is goodness, has for us. Dame Julian
Julian lived in the 14th century in England. No one really knows what she did before her life of contemplation; in 1373 she began to write down a vision she had received while near death. She spent the next 20 years pondering that vision, receiving further revelation through her contemplation of the Divine. Julian lived in a cell that was attached to the church in Norwich. Her daily companion was a cat that was given her to keep the rat population down. Since this was the time that bubonic plague was ravaging England, the cat was a necessary feature to her monastic life. She and the cat soon became companions and would sit in her small garden together. Julian’s revelations centered around one great theme: God’s love for the world. In her vision, she was given this picture:
"God held a tiny thing in his hand, like a small brown nut, which seemed so fragile and insignificant that she wondered why it did not crumble before her eyes. She understood that the thing was the entire created universe, which is as nothing compared to its creator, and she was told, From this and many other revelations, Julian discovered the depth, height, and breadth of God’s love. As we read Julian’s writings, we are reminded afresh that "God made us, God loves us, God keeps us." To contemplate the love of God can be a life – changing event. It was for Julian, and I pray it will be for us as well.
…And from the time that the vision was shown, I desired often to know what our Lord’s meaning was. And fifteen years and more afterward I was answered in my spiritual understanding, thus: Would you know your Lord’s meaning in this thing?
Know it well, love was his meaning. Who showed it to you? Love. What did he show you: Love Why did he show it? For Love.
Keep yourself therein and you shall know and understand more in the same.
 The Creativity of the Breath of God "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." Acts 2:1-4
We’re not sure that we want to be caught up in that blazing transformation, Or are we? This is the same transformation that caused the world to begin, that breathed over chaos and created order. This is the same power that spoke the Word into becoming flesh. This is the same breath that is now nurturing your heart with its comforting breeze and reassuring tones. Let us open to the creative power of the breath of God, so that we might become like those first trembling disciples - Empowered to do what now seems impossible. And yet, with that wind at our backs nothing will be impossible. We will experience wild winds as well as caressing breezes when we open our hearts to the breath of God. Let us put our story of Pentecost together with this story from Hildegard of Bingen:
Listen: there was once a king sitting on his throne. Around him stood great and wonderfully beautiful The breath of God bears us along like thermal air currents that allow the hawk to soar above the field. We do not have to struggle; we can open our arms, And we can fly!
Blessings,
Daily Morning Prayer:
…Thus I was taught that love was our Lord’s meaning. This Week at St. James:
Friday: 10:00 Theology and Spirit;
SJA Celebrate Arts Night Prayers Etc.
God of your goodness, give me yourself,
For those on our Prayer List:
For the victims of the cyclone in Burma. In Closing:
A condition of complete simplicity
Pax et Bonum, |
May 8th is the feast day of Dame Julian of Norwich, spiritual writer, and anchoress. Dame Julian holds a special place at St. James as the patrona of our chapter of the Daughters of the King.
Pentecost Sunday conjures up images of fire and wild winds that sweep into the Upper Room and create a new community. The power and the wildness of the experience may make us both fascinated and horrified.