The 14th century mystic Julian of Norwich recorded the following vision: “I understood Christ's passion as the greatest and overwhelming pain. And yet it was revealed to me in an instant, and then it quickly became a consolation. For our good Lord would not have us frightened by this ugly sight... but because of the tender love which our good Lord has for each of us, he comforts us readily and sweetly. And the meaning is this: It is true that sin is the cause of all this pain, but all will be well, and every kind of thing will be well. These words were revealed most tenderly, showing no kind of blame to me or anyone...”
No blame. Taught so well and so often that difficult was better - you know, no guts, no glory; no pain, no gain; taught that there is no easy grace - the readiness of Christ's forgiveness may embarrass us. Like Saint Peter when Jesus wants to wash his feet, the sense of Jesus' condescension can be disorienting. But his passion and resurrection are all about love and mercy not blaming. This is what Julian of Norwich will call in another passage Jesus' "courtesy." It is true we are unworthy; his love alone makes us worthy, and so all will truly be well.
Seeing
the wounded Jesus, and at the same time acknowledging my own stubbornness and
stupidity, which is to say my own woundedness, how could I ever withhold
forgiveness, or judge another. If Jesus in his agony could forgive his
persecutors, forgive that poor thief writhing on the cross next to him, if he
could take back his loser apostles after his resurrection, if he is always so
ready to mercy me, who am I ever to withhold forgiveness or nurse a grudge?
“Peace,” he says to us, and he breathes on us. Too much has happened, but
forgiveness is worth it, love is worth it.
