Julian of Norwich: Selections from Revelations of Divine Love-Annotated & Explained

by Mary C. Earle (Commentaries by), Roberta C. Bondi (Foreword by)

Overview

Teachings from this fourteenth-century mystic provide spiritual direction and call for you to open yourself, body and soul, to divine love.

Many people are familiar with the phrase "All shall be well" but do not know much, if anything, about Julian of Norwich, the fourteenth-century English mystic who wrote those words. Thomas Merton declared her to be “without a doubt one of the most wonderful of all Christian voices,” and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says that her writings “may well be the most important work of Christian reflection in the English language.”

This accessible introduction to Julian's Revelations of Divine Love, an extended reflection on a series of her mystical visions, includes an informative introduction that addresses the historical, cultural and sociological context of Julian’s life and writings. Mary Earle’s facing-page commentary focuses on Julian’s profoundly hopeful vision of humanity and God, her creative imagery and her rigorous honesty about the spiritual life. Drawing directly from Julian’s text, Earle addresses a variety of topics essential to understanding Julian’s mysticism, including the infinite nature of God, the life of prayer, God’s suffering with us, the eternal and undying life of the soul, the motherhood of Jesus and the motherhood of God, “all shall be well” and more.

Drawing directly from Julian’s text, the commentary addresses a variety of topics including the infinite nature of God, the life of prayer, God’s suffering with us, the eternal and undying life of the soul, the motherhood of Jesus and the motherhood of God, “all shall be well” and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683361633
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	10/01/2013
Series:	SkyLight Illuminations
Edition description:	Annotated
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Mary C. Earle, an Episcopal priest, retreat leader and spiritual director, is the author of Julian of Norwich: Selections from Revelations of Divine Love—Annotated & Explained; The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from the Women of the Wilderness and Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings—Annotated and Explained; and coauthor of Holy Companions: Spiritual Practices from the Celtic Saints and Praying with the Celtic Saints. In addition to four books on the spirituality of living with illness, she has written for explorefaith.org. She has been introducing the writings of Julian in seminary classes, retreats and conferences for over twenty years.

Mary C. Earle is available to speak on the following topics:

• The Weaving of Heaven and Earth: Celtic Christian Spirituality for Today
• Befriending: The Heart of Celtic Prayer and Practice
• The Book of Creation
• The Desert Mothers
• The Gift of Divine Rhythms: Sabbath Rest

Roberta C. Bondi is professor emerita of church history and spirituality, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. She is the author of To Love as God Loves: Conversations with the Early Church, Memories of God, and other books. She is a retreat and workshop leader.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv

1. The Visions 3
2. Images for God 21
3. Our Relationship to God 27
4. Christ's Passion 61
5. The Trinity 77
6. The Question of Sin 83
7. Prayer and Faith 101
8. The Soul 123
9. Parable of the Lord and the Servant 141
10. The Motherhood of God 165
11. All Shall Be Well 183

Notes 193
Suggestions for Further Reading 195

Editorial Reviews

"Wise, profound and powerful.... I cannot imagine a better spiritual introduction to the essential teaching of Julian of Norwich."
—Greg Garrett, PhD, professor of English, Baylor University; author, The Other Jesus and The Prodigal

"Directs people to the God who met a humble woman of Norwich and transformed her into one of Christianity's most enduring voices of God's love.... Advances Julian's legacy, making the saint’s writing accessible to a new generation in its own language."
—Tara M. Owens, MTS, CSD, spiritual director, Anam Cara Ministries; senior editor, Conversations Journal

"Infused with quiet love, Mary Earle’s commentary brings readers to Julian’s revelations with tenderness, insight and respectful intimacy."
—Suzanne Guthrie, founder, EdgeOfEnclosure.org

“Mary Earle accompanies Julian’s text with what Julian herself might call 'light touchings’ that illuminate and translate the medieval visionary’s rich theology for contemporary readers.”
—Amy Frykholm, author, Julian of Norwich: A Contemplative Biography

“Julian of Norwich is the one mystic I wish everyone would read. Mary C. Earle’s carefully chosen selections and insightful annotations reveal why this medieval visionary has so much timeless wisdom to offer seekers today.”
—Carl McColman, author, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Answering the Contemplative Call

“The writings of Julian of Norwich are some of the great literary treasures of the Christian
mystical tradition. Mary Earle’s annotations crack open Julian’s world—and allow her to speak powerfully to ours.”
—Rev. John R. Mabry, PhD, author, Growing into God: A Beginner’s Guide to Christian Mysticism; editor, Spiritual Guidance across Religions

From the Publisher