Pastoral Theology
Pastoral Theology
a pointe." While Colledge and Walsh translate this as "an instant of time," it seems clear from the wider context of the chapter that this is a spatial image. As Julian herself comments, "by which sight I saw that he is in al thing." God is present in everything, however small it may be. God is the "within" of all things. This develops Julian's vision of existence first stated in chapter 1. God "has made everything that is…," "He does and brings about all that is done." As noted in the previous chapter, in her practical commentary on Julian of Norwich, Ritamary Bradley also suggested that Julian may have been thinking of needle‐point or lace‐point. The metaphor of "a pointe" would then suggest God's presence in even the smallest stitch that goes towards making up the final pattern of the cloth.22
Pastoral Theology Finally, in describing Julian's theological style we need to give prominence to Julian's own stated purpose in relation to her urgent and transformative theological message. In this context, Julian's theological method should also be considered as a form of practical‐pastoral theology, responding to the needs of her readers in their cultural, social, and religious contexts. Julian's vernacular theology has a clear pastoral purpose.
In broad terms, its goal is to underline for her readers, all her "fellow Christians," a new understanding of human living in the everyday world as well as a revolutionary understanding of the nature of God and how
God engages with this world, particularly through Christ. Her initial vision is of the Passion: God in Christ suffering for all humanity on the cross. However, later in her text she develops the rich imagery of Christ as Mother. The interrelated Christological and Trinitarian dimensions of this theology will be developed more substantially in Chapter 4, Love is
God's Meaning.
The foundation of Julian's pastoral theology is her explanation of the work of Christ our Mother. The work of Christ our Mother is developed particularly in Long Text chapters 60, 61, and 63. All this was added to Julian's writings after she was led to understand the meaning of the exemplum of a Lord and a Servant which became chapter 51 of the Long Text.
Essentially, the theme of motherhood expresses the essence of Christ's action for humankind. That is, it expresses why he took on human nature in the Incarnation, and also the "economy" of redemption. In chapter 60
Christ's motherhood is described in terms of mercy and grace.
Our Great God…..arrayed and prepared himself in this humble place [Mary's womb], all ready in our poor flesh, himself to do the service and the office of motherhood in everything.