First Sunday in Lent: a Reflection from Julian of Norwich

From time to time, I read something I want to share...

On this first Sunday of Lent, here is an excerpt from  Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love. I haven't read this famous fourteenth-century book yet.

I found the passage in Incandescence, a collection of readings by women mystics, compiled by Carmen Acevedo Butcher, and it makes me want to read more. 

This is what Julian of Norwich writes:

God wants us to remember we are His children. Hurt, upset, or frightened children always run directly to their mother and fling their arms around her... God wants us to do just that. We are to act like the trusting, much-loved children that we are.

Even if it is our own fault we are hurting, God wants us to come to Him and say, "Mother,... I've really messed up. Please forgive me..."

If we don't feel better all at once, we should remember our Mother is wise. God may allow us to cry for a certain time... [But] remember that what God most wants is our trust, as child to mother.

Lenten Reading

Today is the beginning of Lent - the 40 days before Easter.

For the past few years, I've made this a time to read and reflect, using a Lenten study book.

This year I'm planning to read Carmen Acevedo Butcher's book, Following Christ: A Lenten Reader to Stretch Your Soul.

I've enjoyed her modern translations of ancient Christian texts, so I'm looking forward to reading this book.

De-cluttering My Surroundings - My 2016 Lenten Practice

I have been enjoying the challenge of choosing something - at least one thing - to give away every day this Lent. Two weeks into my 40 days, I had collected so many items that my cardboard box in the basement was overflowing. I felt the need to clear it out, so I bagged some things - mainly books and clothing -  and donated them to a Nearly New shop. (My goal is to get rid of things I no longer need.)

Has it made a difference in the way the house looks or feels?? 

It's too early to tell - though I do get excited when I see vacant shelf space open up.

Will the practice of de-cluttering my surroundings bring new inspiration and interest into my life??

That is my hope...

By happy co-incidence, I came across a quote by Meister Ethart that seems to confirm my Lenten practice: "God is not found in the soul by adding anything but by subtracting."

As I sort through things, I am coming across books and household items I had forgotten I had. Even if all I do is use what I keep more efficiently, my 40 days of purging will have been worth it.