 A contribution to our understanding of contemplation in a postmodern world My own search for a deeper relationship with God has led me to the researching of a PhD dissertation currently entitled: “Meeting God, in the company of Julian of Norwich and John of the Cross.” Research has included mysticism in the Christian tradition, mysticism in a postmodern world, and my understanding of Jesus the Christ.
In approaching the mystical texts of Julian and John, I am using the ancient contemplative methodology of lectio divina, which links knowledge and experience and is therefore well suited to my task. This method incorporates text-interpretive scholarship, and can be placed within a Lonerganian theological framework. As an integral part of my methodology, I have recently returned from seven weeks in Italy, Spain and Britain, where I spent time in places of prayer like the Franciscan sanctuary of La Verna, the Carmelite desierto at Batuecas, and Julian's anchorage in Norwich. I also travelled widely in Spain to Sanjuanist sites, visited key libraries in Rome and London, accessed important manuscripts, and conversed with acknowledged scholars. To enter Julian's and John's mystical texts, I am using the theme of “wound,” which I see as a symbol of God who is Love. In the gospel of John, which is an important link between Julian of Norwich and John of the Cross, the climax comes at the crucifixion of Jesus, where we see God revealed as Love, and we are reminded of the prophetic words: “They will look to the one whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37). Both Julian and John had a transforming understanding of the loving God, who is revealed in the crucified Christ, and who draws them into mystical union. It is appropriate to interpret mystical texts anew for each age. The purpose of my dissertation is to contribute to an understanding of contemplation in a postmodern age. Patricia Wait is a Melbourne College of Divinity PhD candidate. |
