THE SIXTH DISCLOSURE ~ HEAVEN REMEMBERS
After Julian of Norwich, The Joy of Christ in Every Soul
Heaven will remember the time each one gave— the season of their turning, and the gift of their love. And for that, they shall be welcomed with joy. And then Christ said: I thank you for what your life has given— and especially for the beauty of your youth. There was no voice, yet heavenly words arose in me surrounding my being— it was light gathering in waves from the farthest point of creation. Renewing Christ’s radiance within us. And I saw the Lord not separate and dwelling above, but moving among us— as a host in His own house, gathering beloved friends for a celebration without end. He did not take the highest place. He gave Himself into its intimate joy. Rejoicing in each person. His face was radiant, and He sang a symphony made from love alone filling all the heavens. Is this not our love, too, shared? In the everyday intimate tasks of folding laundry and linens, in the delight of cooking for family and friends, in the hand that plants a garden and tends it with a humble heart, then helps steady the steps of an elderly neighbor— Christ is our joy, quietly given. Homely. Humble. Courteous. As a joyful servant in bearing beyond all wonder and weight. I saw every soul who had served Him in any way, at any time, in thoughtfulness was met with three gifts of glory: First, the appreciation of Christ Himself— as the fullness of the Trinity— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit— so reverent and radiant that the soul, hearing His words, filled to overflowing. Second, their service was made known before all of heaven— a witness to love’s offering, and the joy it brings. And third, that the joy, as fresh in its giving as in its receiving, would never fade, never grow dim, never come to an end— everlasting upon the eternal. And I saw, as sweetly as it could be shown, that each soul’s time—each age, each moment of willing love— was held and known in heaven. Especially the gift of youth, offered freely to God, answered with a joy passing all expectations— a remembrance and thankfulness touched by the divine. But even one day— even one turning of the heart— was gathered into glory and met with this same love. And the more our souls beheld the kindness of Christ, the more we longed to serve Him all our days, with the full strength of our being— without human hesitation—eternally joyful.
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Heaven Remembers
A Reflection on “The Sixth Disclosure ~ Heaven Remembers”
after Julian of Norwich, The Joy of Christ in Every Soul
There is something quietly radiant in the idea that heaven remembers—not with a ledger or a scale, not with judgment or measure, but with the reverence of one who has loved us all along. In this sixth poetic disclosure, what unfolds is not doctrine, but vision. A vision in which the soul hears Christ offer thanks—not with words, but with presence, with light that gathers in waves from the farthest point of creation. It is a light that speaks what the heart most longs to believe: that our love was never forgotten.
Heaven, we are told, remembers the season of our turning and the gift of our love. Not our achievements, not our theology, not our perfect words—but our offerings, however fragile, however fleeting. And then this line, as unexpected as it is tender: “I thank you for what your life has given—and especially for the beauty of your youth.” What kind of God says that? A God who does not discard our earliest seasons or the uncertain fervor of youth, but gathers it all into joy.
This is not the Christ of stained-glass distance, robed in untouchable splendor. This is the Christ who moves among us as a host in His own house, not to inspect, but to rejoice. Not to judge, but to delight. In the vision, He does not take the highest place; He takes joy in each beloved guest. He sings—not in ritual chant, but in a symphony made of love alone, filling the heavens with the fullness of divine welcome.
And then the turn—so characteristic of Julian. From celestial vision, we step into the domestic, and there is no diminishment of wonder. Christ appears again, not robed in glory, but wrapped in the humility of everyday acts. He is found in the folding of linens, in the seasoning of food prepared with love, in the planting of gardens, in the steadying hand offered to an elderly neighbor. The sacred, here, is homely. And so the poem says, “Christ is our joy, quietly given.” That one line may carry all the weight of the vision. A sacramental truth: holiness woven into the intimate fabric of daily life.
What follows is not a reward system, but a revelation of how love is received and magnified in heaven. First, each soul who served in love is met by the appreciation of Christ Himself—a reverence so full of the Trinity’s presence that the soul is filled to overflowing. Second, their service is made known before all of heaven—not as a triumph, but as a testimony to joy. And third, a promise: the joy of love given and received never fades. It is as fresh on the thousandth day as on the first. It is everlasting upon the eternal.
And perhaps the most grace-laden line of all is this: “Even one day—even one turning of the heart—was gathered into glory.” This is the line that steadies me. That nothing is lost. That grace does not count days the way we do. That the quiet yes of the soul, even once, is met with rejoicing.
In the end, the more the soul beheld the kindness of Christ, the more it longed to serve Him—not out of fear or duty, but from the joy of having been seen and known and loved. This is the heart of Julian’s theology. This is the heart of the poem. The God who remembers, the Christ who sings, the Spirit who sanctifies even the smallest turning.
And so we fold towels. We pass the bread. We tend the garden and care for one another—not to earn heaven, but because heaven has already remembered us. And in that remembering, joy is quietly given.
—Ron Starbuck, Publisher
Saint Julian Press, Inc.
Houston, Texas
Praise for At The Still Point
In reading these “poetic meditations” on Julian’s Revelations of Divine Love, I found myself repeatedly having to stop—to both ponder and pray. The beauty and profundity of Starbuck’s poetry reword Julian’s central message: “Of how all things, No matter how small, Are held in being by the kindness of God.”
~ Paul Knitter
Paul Tillich Emeritus Professor
of Theology and Religions,
Union Theological Seminary.
Ron Starbuck's lovely prayerful poems gently open us to the power of Christ's passion, the tender and transforming awakening of love's deepest purpose within each of us. In these graceful and grace-filled words, we find a balm for the broken soul, healing for the weary and wounded spirit. I found myself inspired, uplifted, and affirmed with each divine disclosure. Read this beautiful book and draw near to Christ. Pray this book and draw nearer still.
~ William B. Miller
The Gospel According to Sam
The Beer Drinker's Guide to God
The Last Howlelujah
Product Details
Publisher Saint Julian Press, Inc.
Publish Date June 30, 2025
Pages 100
Language English
TypeBook iconPaperback / softback
EAN/UPC 9781955194457
Dimensions 9.0 X 6.0 X 0.2 inches | 0.3 pounds
BISAC Categories: Poetry, Spirituality & Religion, Spirituality & Religion