Smooth Sailing

It is great to be back after my weeklong retreat with Julian of Norwich and The Revelation of Divine Love. For only $6 you can purchase an accessible, abridged version of her work - the first book ever written in English by a woman - at this e-book link. I was also over the moon to discover an abridged (one-hour) audiobook version narrated by none other than the great Sister Wendy Beckett of art history fame, now available digitally! I am truly grateful to the church council for allowing me this time away.

On Easter I shared that resurrection life cannot be controlled. In just six more weeks on Pentecost, we will see how the Spirit blows where She wills. Fortunately for us, the Spirit’s will is to enliven us and make us able to see a miracle - that the Risen Christ lives in our lives! On retreat I saw many things I did not wish to see - and I was just looking at myself, not even at the news. But Julian tells us that Jesus never promised her she would not be tempest-tossed - only that she would not be overcome. Faith empowers us to see our problems compassionately, and also to see that Jesus rests in our souls, so no ultimate harm can come to us.

My other favorite saint, Therese of Lisieux, liked to imagine holding the sleeping Infant Jesus in her lap while on the rocking boat with the apostles in the storm. Strong winds are blowing in our world, my friends - but the Risen Christ breathes on us his peaceful Spirit of rest and calm.

with love, Pr. Chelsea