I [Saint Paul] planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything but only God who causes the growth. - 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7
I have found Blessed Julian of Norwich interesting since I came across one of most her well known quotes many years back, “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” As much as I would like to I still have yet to really take some time with her writings so it caught my attention last month when I discovered Joan Chittister’s monthly spiritual publication called The Monastic Way.
In the April 2022 issue, Chittister, a Benedictine Sister, pulls from Julian’s well known saying, but she gives a longer version. Failure is the topic for the April issue and Chittister found in the fuller quote “another whole dimension to life.” Before Julian says all will be well she begins with sin. “God does not punish sin; sin punishes sin and all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well,” is the fuller reading Chitister came across.
In this longer passage Chittister realized that “it’s what we learn from our failures that brings us to new levels of holiness.” Sin, be it pride, or covetousness, or greed, as Chittister saw through Julian’s eyes, will make contentment impossible but can lead to us having a “depth of understanding we might never have really achieved otherwise.” And that can bring spiritual growth.
The Monastic Way is a free on-line publication. It starts with a short introduction followed by daily reflections on that month’s theme. To sign up go to: https://joanchittister.org/content/newsletters/monastic-way/current-issue.
Showcasing SHA talent: Victoria, 4th grade, shows a mischievous mouse unplugging a TV.
God bless,
Mrs. Alhadef
Campus Minister
4th Grade Aide
Jr. High ELA Aide