Julian of Norwich on God as our Mother

I thought this was an interesting read coming from a Catholic background who acknowledges the Virgin Mary as a significant role in the life of Christ.  In my personal walk as a Christian practicing in a Roman Catholic parish, I was taught to honor Mary as the mother of Christ and to rever her Son Jesus.  As a Hispanic Catholic this was particularly striking to me, because my mom set the foundation to my faith and I was close (and continue to be close) to her.  I was able to "honor Mary" because I "honor my mom."  Mary was the chosen vessel that brought Christ to life on this Earth, just like my mom had brought me here.  I felt a special kinship to Mary, because my mom did such an amazing job as a parent.  In my heart I knew that Christ was Lord and that God was God, but in my heart as a young woman sometimes it helped to relate to Mary as a female.  I think that's what Julian of Norwich is saying when she refers to "God as our Mother."  Without bringing up the Catholic religion, Julian is saying that Christ is comforting.  God is this being of grace that I've come to connect with who my mom has been to me.  The parallel between my mom's parenting and Christ is the love, devotion and sacrifice that I knew in my mother.  I'm not suggesting that men are not capable of this "comfort" but for me, I experienced this in my mom as Julian describes: "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?  Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you" (Isaiah 49:15).  This verse is STRIKING to me, because in my "world/mind" a woman could never forget to have compassion for her own child....and according to scripture, Christ's love is still much greater than that.

McGrath: The Christian Theology Reader

Comments

[Heather Somervail]

This view makes so much sense to me, and I've also taken much comfort in her. Happy that your relationship with your mother illustrated such positive things for you!

As one with a mother unable to give love in that way, Mary blesses and inspires me because of her courage, strength, and steadfastness. Then there's that whole idea of wondering what kind of lingering effects an encounter with the cleansing of the holy spirit would bring, but I digress.