Theme: Letting Go of the Superfluous

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Reflection: Julian of Norwich on Simplicity and Trust in God

Focus

In this episode, the focus will be on the theme of letting go of the superfluous and finding simplicity and trust in God's presence. The episode draws from the teachings in Philippians 4:6-7, emphasizing the importance of prayer and casting anxieties aside, and Julian of Norwich's perspective on the beauty of simplicity and trust in God. This episode explores the idea of finding peace and simplicity in trust in God's providence, especially during the Advent season.

Philippians 4:6-7 NRSV

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Julian of Norwich

Julian experiences a near-death experience. She receives fifteen “showings,” or revelations. She reports that heaven opens to her, she beholds Christ in his glory, and she sees the meaning and power of his sufferings. In her thirteenth showing, Julian receives a comforting answer to a question that has long troubled her:

“In my folly, before this time I often wondered why, by the great foreseeing wisdom of God, the onset of sin was not prevented: for then, I thought, all should have been well. This impulse [of thought] was much to be avoided, but nevertheless I mourned and sorrowed because of it, without reason and discretion.

“But Jesus, who in this vision informed me of all that is needed by me, answered with these words and said: ‘It was necessary that there should be sin; but all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.'

“These words were said most tenderly, showing no manner of blame to me nor to any who shall be saved.”

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