The Sin of Adam
Julian of Norwich teaches that God's sovereignty and love are revealed through His ability to make well everything that is less bad, even in the face of great harm caused by Adam's sin.
Julian of Norwich preaches about questioning God's goodness in the face of sin and suffering, expressing fear and sorrow over the damage caused by sin. In response, the Lord gently reassures her that Adam's sin was the greatest harm ever done, but the glorious reparation through Christ's sacrifice surpasses it in value for humanity's salvation. By emphasizing the magnitude of God's redemption, Julian learns that if God could rectify the worst harm, He is more than capable of restoring everything else that is less severe.
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In this showing I remained watching generally, sorrowful and mourning, saying thus to our Lord in my meaning with full great fear: "Ah! Good Lord, how can all be well considering the great damage that has come by sin to Thy creatures?" (And here I desired, as much as I dared, to have some more open explanation with which I could be put at ease in this matter.)
To this our blessed Lord answered most gently, and with most loving expression, and showed that Adam's sin was the most harm that ever was done, or ever shall be done, until the world's end (and also He showed that this is openly acknowledged in all the Holy Church on earth).
Furthermore, He taught that I should observe the glorious reparation, for making this reparation is more pleasing to the blessed Godhead and more valuable for man's salvation, without comparison, than ever was the sin of Adam harmful.
Then means our blessed Lord thus in this teaching: that we would take heed to this: "For since I had made well the worst harm, then it is my will that thou knowest from that, that I shall make well everything that is less bad."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Great Damage of Adam's Sin
- A. The extent of the damage
- B. The acknowledgment of the damage in the Holy Church
- II. The Glorious Reparation
- A. The value of reparation for man's salvation
- B. The comparison to Adam's sin
- III. God's Will to Make Well
- A. The promise to make well everything that is less bad
- B. The implication of God's sovereignty
Key Quotes
“For since I had made well the worst harm, then it is my will that thou knowest from that, that I shall make well everything that is less bad.” — Julian of Norwich
“Adam's sin was the most harm that ever was done, or ever shall be done, until the world's end” — Julian of Norwich
“making this reparation is more pleasing to the blessed Godhead and more valuable for man's salvation, without comparison” — Julian of Norwich
Application Points
- We can trust in God's sovereignty to make well everything that is less bad, even in the face of great harm.
- Reparation is a vital part of God's plan for man's salvation, and it is more pleasing to Him than Adam's sin.
- We should take heed to God's will and trust in His ability to make well everything that is less bad.