Margery Kempe (Part 4) - she still speaks centuries later

The remarkable Margery Kempe made a career of pursuing sainthood. And she left us a valuable record of her adventures and everyday life in medieval times by dictating her memoirs in 1438. Though this medieval mystic had her shortcomings - as pointed out in my last post, Part 3: Medieval "Church Lady" - Margery had many admirable qualities.

Here a five of them:

1. Her passion for a direct and personal relationship with God

After a very difficult pregnancy, Margery had become very ill - both physically and mentally. When she thought she was going to die and go to hell, amid hallucinations of devils, she had a vision of Christ, who spoke to her: "Dowyter, why hast thow forsakyn me and I forsoke nevyr thee?"

Margery felt peace and happiness after that experience as she soon made a dramatic recovery of her health and sanity. Her peers saw this sudden turnaround as a miracle and Margery believed Jesus had rescued her from the Devil's clutches.

Since her healing followed by some humbling experiences of failed business ventures, Margery had more visions. (Some may say she was crazy. But who can tell?) Her supporters suggested that Margery's true calling was to follow Christ. And with much passion, Margery sought to directly commune with God and pursue sainthood with all her heart. This "coming to Jesus" was not just a passing fad, but one that lasted throughout her lifetime.

During Margery's life in the late 1300s and early 1400s, the organized Church had sunk to one of her low points. The Church was being torn by the Great Schism, when three popes reigned at one time. The clergy seemed disconnected from the people and more interested in wealth, building great cathedrals and names for themselves, and advancing their own political careers than in feeding their flocks.

More than a hundred years before the Reformation, Margery desired to break down this barrier between laity and clergy and commune personally and directly with God. David had expressed that same burning desire for communion in his psalms. (Psalm 27:8; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 42:1) Likewise, St. Paul had the desire for knowing Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:2; Philippians 3:10)

Margery challenges me to have that same passion and not lapse into the coldness of complacency.

2. Her courage and stamina

In her desire to get closer to God, Margery did what many of the pious tried to do in her day - go on pilgrimage. Medieval life was dangerous as it was, but even more so as a woman traveling alone, most of the time on foot. Margery made the pilgrimage to the Holy Land and many other shorter pilgrimages to shrines throughout Europe. She had a confidence that God would see her through. She faced danger from illness, travel, and hostile company. She got herself into many scrapes, but was delivered from them all. Pilgrimages were not for the faint of heart and she had the stamina and will to push on.

I think of St. Paul on his missionary journeys - most on foot - and all the perils and dangers he had faced, including a shipwreck (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). Margery had a taste of something St. Paul went through on pilgrimage on foot across much of Europe, on sea in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the North Sea, during times of peace and war, and in fear of bandits, pirates, evil doers, illness, and many other perils.

I wish I had Margery's courage and strength to keep going on my "Pilgrim's Progress" - especially when life seems scary and difficult.

3. Her conviction and perseverance

Once Margery's mind was made up, nothing deterred her from her goals as she pushed forward with pigheaded stubbornness. Her countrymen on pilgrimage had ditched her many times, but she never gave up, continued on, and found them - again. This terrified them.

St. James gives warning of the double minded man (James 1:8). Margery did not have that problem. St. Paul preached perseverance in not growing weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9). And Jesus told parables of persistence (Luke 18:1-7).

I covet Margery's stick-to-it-iveness. She was not one to be deterred from her goal.

4. Margery knew her stuff

Though illiterate,Margery had priests read to her from the Bible and other sacred literature. The readings helped the priests as well as Margery to know the Holy Writ better as well as important writings of religious scholars.

In England, John Wycliffe (who first translated the Bible into English) and his disciples, the Lollards, challenged the authority of the Church. This left the leaders quite testy and suspicious of an outspoken woman as Margery. Her detractors had accused her of being a Lollard, which put her at risk as being labeled as a hectic and in real danger of losing her life. (Czech priest John Hus had been burned at the stake in Rome in 1415 about the time Margery had visited on pilgrimage.)

When brought before inquisitions of priests, politicians, and bishops at various times, Margery took them all on and answered them very intelligently. She convinced them all she was a faithful orthodox Catholic and even got the Archbishop of Canterbury's certificate of approval, which made her autobiography "safe" to read.

St. Paul urged his disciples to study and be prepared (2 Timothy 2:15). St. Peter counsels to always be ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:14-16).

I am challenged to have that same readiness to give intelligent answers about my faith like Margery had done throughout her many trials.

5. Margery had a testimony

Though her fellow pilgrims had ditched her many times and her neighbors had made fun of her, they must have wondered if she really did have a connection to the Almighty.

In Venice on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Margery changed sailing vessels as in her account the Lord had given her warning about the craft her fellow pilgrims would embark on. Her companions must have thought this was a great stroke of luck as they were finally rid of this irritating woman that followed them doggedly throughout Europe.

The voyage on a stinking galley across the Mediterranean was fraught with perils from the storms at sea, pirates, and the crew, many whom were criminals and men if ill repute. Margery's countrymen must have had second thoughts about their boat as they bit their tongues, and with extra cost and difficulty changed their plans and went with Margery on her vessel of choice. We do know they all arrived safely at the port of Jerusalem in Jaffa.

Later, in her home town of Lynn, Margery had become a joke - an object of abuse. But during the "Great Fire" that swept through the town, Margery wept quite loudly and prayed. This time, those - who had ridiculed her before - now begged her to continue praying. The sky, which had been clear, suddenly turned dark and a great snow storm came rushing in. The citizens of Lynn now had the fire under control. Everyone seemed to agree that the storm that quenched the fire was due to Margery's efforts.

The New Testament saints had testimonies. When St. Paul was a prisoner on ship, the crew did not heed his warnings, but later they all took his advice and were kept safe because of his testimony. (Acts 27) St. Peter urges that because of a good testimony, evil doers will be ashamed (1 Peter 3:16). Many scoffers had to eat their words when they sought Margery's prayers in a time of trouble.

I desire to have a testimony as strong as Margery's, especially one that my enemies take notice.

-------

Conclusions:

Though Margery had her failings, she bears witness to a faith that did not fail and a constancy of her convictions. Searching the web, I did not see that she was canonized as a Catholic saint. In the Protestant definition, a saint is any believer, set aside for God. (Ephesians 1:1;  Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2) Her testimony still speaks through the centuries as she was as a saint in medieval England.


Question: Does Margery speak to you today?

Picture from Wiki Commons: Saints of the Catholic Church

Margery Kempe (Part 3) - Medieval "Church Lady"

"Well, isn't that special?"

So is the catch phrase of the Dana Carvey "holier-than-thou" character "Enid Strict" in the Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit "Church Chat with Church Lady."

Effective comedy is based on truth and "Church Lady" pokes fun at these ugly truths: It's an easy slide from righteousness to self-righteousness. And the world so readily sees it. Even in the Middle Ages.

Before Christmas, I had written two posts about the Life and Times of Margery Kempe, whose autobiography dictated at the end of her life in 1438 is perhaps the first one in the English language.

Part One paints the volatile times she lived in before the Reformation.
Part Two sketches the real life characters that Margery had encountered during her adventures and lifetime career of pursuing sainthood, which rival Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

The "Church Lady" persona is not new, but is as old as religion itself. And Margery Kempe unwittingly reveals herself as a medieval one of these though she casts herself in the best of light.  This medieval "Church Lady" presents herself as the martyr, suffering for her piety, and all her detractors - of course - are the villains, the uninformed, the ignorant.

Looking back at her life 700 years later, it is easy to fall into the trap of presentism. Yet Margery's spiritual warts and faults are not only seen through the lens of the 21st century, but also by the Judeo-Christian standards of the 1st century and earlier.

Many negative lessons of what not to do can be garnered by studying this medieval candidate for sainthood. Below are a five of them.

----------

1. Judging others

"Judge not, that ye be not judged" are well known words from the Sermon on the Mount as well as Jesus' warning that we will be judged by the same standards we judge others (Matthew 7:1-2). But Jesus did say we are to use our brains and be fruit inspectors of a person's life - by their fruits you shall know them (Matthew 7:16-20).

Margery could be judgemental, like she was with the one erring son she mentioned, whom she admonished for dressing like a dandy and having a strong desire for the company of girls. Undoubtedly, this drove the boy away from her for many years. Also, Margery boasted that she knew who was saved, and who was not. Yet, the prophets in the Good Book, such as Samuel, caution that though we look at outer appearances, God sees the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

2.  Lecturing others on their self-improvement

It's so easy to want to correct someone else's bad habits - especially when they annoy us. But Jesus warned of our tendencies to see the speck in our brother's eye, but not the plank in our own. (Matthew 7:3-5)

St. Paul had something to say about this, too. When we see someone overtaken by a fault, the spiritual - in meekness - need to restore such a person, being cautioned that we could be likewise tempted. (Galatians 3:1) And speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15) Likewise, we are to kind to one another, loving and forgiving. (Ephesians 4:32)

St. Peter reminds us that love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) St. Paul exhorts us that when possible live peaceably with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

As Margery tended to moralized and correct others, was it no surprise her traveling companions ditched her so many times on pilgrimage? The priest kicked her out of the English hostel in Rome? Eventually, those in her hometown grew tired of her and shunned her?

3. Making a big show of spirituality

Margery wept and shrieked very publicly, very loudly, and incessantly! She was a total kill-joy to be around. It drove everyone crazy.

Jesus warned about not making a big show of our spirituality, but to do spiritual acts, such as fasting, in secret. Those who make such an outward display have their reward - the praise of men, but not from God. (Matthew 6:16-18) And Jesus had some scathing words for the scribes and Pharisees about their big show of spirituality, while their actions showed otherwise. (Matthew 23)

4. It's all about me

Margery was wrapped up with her many visions, but they were all about her. Most centered on her being involved with the everyday living of the Holy Family, and how Jesus was very pleased with Margery in every way.

St. John tells us that Jesus is the spirit of all prophesy - not us. (Revelation 19:10). St. Paul had an astonishing vision of the third heaven, of which he was not allowed to speak, and he was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble. (2 Corinthians 12:1-8)

With that thought, at the church I now attend has this unwritten ritual. When our minster says, "It's not about you." And the congregation responds back, "And it's not about you, either."

5. Pride

This is the biggy. Here is one example in Margery's life:

While praying in church, Margery had survived a direct hit from a  large stone and piece of wood which with a loud noise dropped from the vault. All witnesses agreed it was a supernatural event. Margery's detractors said it was sign of God's wrath directed at her. Her supporters said it was a miracle that she was unhurt and a sign of God's favor.

On pilgrimage to York to give thanks for such divine favor, Margery retold of the event to her audiences about God's sign: "Thei that worshep thee thei worshep me." (They that worship Thee worship me)

Quite boastful on her part? To her, anyone who modeled their conduct on her advice would be assured of reaching heaven. Her relentless pursuit of sainthood centered on her - her visions, her advice, her sacrifices, her own importance.

Pride greases the slippery slope from righteousness to self-righteousness.

St. John gave a warning about prima donnas, those who love the preeminence. (3 John 1:9-11) Topping Solomon's list of the seven things God hates is pride (Proverbs 6:16-19). Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the Publican tell how the humble will be justified before God, but not the proud. (Luke 18:10-14)

Her countrymen, fellow pilgrims, and many prelates found Margery quite irritating. As a result,they ditched her; they made sport of her. She did not see it that way as she told sympathetic listeners that all her sufferings were for "the lofe of God."

What did the Apostles say of this? St. Peter wrote that there is no glory for suffering for our own faults. (1 Peter 2:19-20). Likewise St. Paul instructs us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. And if we do so, we are "not sober" - hence crazy. (Romans 12:3)

----------

Her incessant and loud weeping and shrieking, her conceit, and her moralistic outlook gave much fodder for Margery's detractors to scorn her in the 15th century - much like today's critics scorn the pious through comedic skits such as "Church Lady."

Enough Margery bashing. Margery had her strengths and many admirable qualities worth emulating, which will be discussed in the final post.

Question:  Any good advice to avoid the slippery slope from righteousness to self-righteousness?

Margery Kempe (Part 2) - Move over Geoffrey Chaucer and reality TV!

Some consider Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1343 - 1400) as the father of English literature, as his writings in Middle English were the first to make it big. His unfinished Canterbury Tales is his most famous work, told as a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.

A contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, Margery Kempe (1373 - 1438) did more than journey to the shrines within England. She went on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome, Spain, Poland and other parts of Europe. And usually she went it alone - leaving husband and fourteen children behind.

If the Middle Ages did a reality show, Margery would be the star.  Her real life adventures rivaled Canterbury Tales with an eclectic cast of characters:

* The star *

Margery Kempe - ne Margery Brunham

This mayor's daughter of King's Lynn married John Kempe, at one time a well off businessman. Earlier in life, Margery had committed a "secret sin" which she was too embarrassed to confess even to a priest when she thought that she was dying. In a crisis after a difficult pregnancy, Margery had a heavenly vision of Christ, which drove away her hallucinations of devils, followed by a dramatic recovery of her health and sanity.  Therefore, after successive business failures, among them being as a brewer of beer, Margery's new career choice became clear - a religious hysteric.

With pigheaded stubbornness, Margery set herself on a lifetime pursuit of sainthood, discovering her great spiritual gift - weeping. Oh, how she could weep - very loudly and incessantly.  Subjected to holy visions and trances, Margery said she directly communicated with God and had a special relationship with Him. She claimed to know who was saved and who was not. And she shared her spirituality by lecturing others on their self-improvement.

Some thought Margery was indeed a holy woman, filled with the Holy Spirit. Her detractors thought she was possessed by the Devil. Most thought she was just annoying.

* Margery's family *

John Kempe - the medieval henpecked husband

He seemed to have supported - or at least acquiesced to - Margery's career choice. More of a homebody, he skipped going on long pilgrimages with her. And he made himself quite scarce when Margery got into scrapes with the Church as the prelates often misunderstood her enthusiasm. Though his wife got ideas of celibacy while they were married, John had managed to father fourteen children by her. This old boy must have had some charm and affection for Margery, as well as the patience of Job.

The erring son - the only one of Margery's fourteen children she mentions in her autobiography

This boy had strayed from her, joining one of the merchants of Lynn, who did business with the Hanseatic League along the Baltic ports. While in town, his mother would waylay this son for his immoral life and curse him. To escape her nagging, he shipped off to Poland, where he loved the ladies too much. Later, he was sacked due to disfigured looks when he had become afflicted with a terrible skin disease, probably from syphilis. After that, he came back to Margery to beg her forgiveness and lift the curse, which he had blamed for his "leprosy." Undoubtedly, this prodigal son's repentance delighted her immensely.

* The citizens of Lynn *

In her hometown, Margery garnered both her supporters and detractors, which fluctuated with the rise and fall of her fortunes. As her novelty wore off, most grew very tired of her and saw her as a joke. They amused themselves by abusing her, such as throwing dirty water out their windows on her when they saw her walking down their way.  But to hedge their bets with the Almighty, her countrymen did call on her to pray for them when trouble came.

* Her fellow pilgrims *

During pilgrimage, Margery's countrymen found her a real kill-joy, especially around meal time when she scolded them for telling stories and jokes. Her incessant weeping, piercing screams, and lecturing on their self-improvement wore them down. Her fellowship ditched her on the way to Jerusalem. And they ditched her, again, in Venice after returning from the Holy Land, leaving Margery without an escort to Rome. Likewise, she frightened them, as someone else always came along to rescue her so she would eventually catch up with them, again, much to their chagrin.

* The "heretics" and "infidels" *

The Lollards - followers of John Wycliffe

Margery's detractors often accused her of being one of these. Margery passionately sought direct communication with God, much like what was preached by those heretical Lollards. But Margery convinced every counsel that brought her up on charges of heresy that her beliefs were most orthodox and she indeed was one of the faithful in the Church.

The Saracens - the Arab Muslims in the Holy Land

The Saracens in the 15th century ran the pilgrimages in the Holy Land like any business and they had the monopoly. Though pilgrims got many warnings of the terrible things these infidels may do to Christians, Margery seemed to have gotten along very well with them and mentions how they made much of her. These "infidels" seemed like a breath of fresh air as compared to the abuses she had endured by her own countrymen.

* The Holy Men *

The Franciscans - in Jerusalem

The Franciscans, assisting the tourists in the Holy Land, considered Margery an exemplary pilgrim. They wished all the faithful were more like her, whose thoughts were fixed on holy things and not worldly pursuits. Margery could weep at the shrines even to the astonishment of those who were used to such emotional outbursts. They seemed sad to see her eating by herself, shunned by her own countrymen for her piety. They expressed sorrow to see her leave Jerusalem when her tour was up and feared that her countrymen would subject her to more indignities and dangers.  Margery undoubtedly told these sympathetic listeners all she had suffered at the hands of her countrymen for the love of God.

The English priest - at the English hostel in Rome

After pilgrimage in the Holy Land, the English pilgrims could not endure the prospects of any more of Margery's company. After all, they had ditched her, again, after returning to Venice. And she just kept showing up and finding them, again. This frightened them.

The English priest, who had been in the original English party of pilgrims, had long observed Margery, her weepings, her shrieking, her descriptions of her visions, her lectures. He was convinced she was possessed by the Devil. The Church was about the settle this matter of heresy in the Council of Constance (where John Huss would be burned at the stake.) He rationalized that the English fellowship dared not risk putting up with the outspoken Margery. This priest used his influence to expel her from the English hostel - much to her countrymen's relief.

The Archbishop of Canterbury

Outspoken Margery, in pursuit of sainthood, got herself into many scrapes with the prelates in the Church, as they were quite testy in the 15th century about the rise of heresy and their authority being challenged. A seasoned pilgrim from the Holy Land, Rome, and the Shrine of St. James at Compostela in Spain, Margery really knew her stuff. She passed every inquisition of bishops and archbishops as an orthodox believer of the true faith. In London, after an interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury, she earned his certificate of approval. This was her ticket to not only protect her, but make her autobiography safe to read, unlike that other literature going about by the likes of John Wycliffe and later, Martin Luther.

* Protectors *

Richard - the Irish Hunchbacked Beggar

Returning to Venice from the Holy Land, the English pilgrims had ditched Margery - again - and refused to escort her to Rome. But Margery would not fail. As an answer to her prayers, she spotted a humpbacked Irish beggar man by the road, figuring he was probably about 50 years old. Margery introduced herself to Richard, who providentially spoke English. Then she convinced him to escort her to Rome. Though Richard had doubts of his abilities to fight off armed bandits, Margery convinced him of their divine appointment and God's blessing. This odd couple indeed made it safely to Rome but eventually had a falling out. There, Margery gave all her money to the poor, some of which she had borrowed from Richard, who had worked so hard begging for it.

John - an escort out of Poland

While Margery was pushing into her 60th year, her prodigal son had returned for a visit and died about a month later. Shortly, John Kempe passed away, leaving Margery a widow.  But always the tourist, she traveled back to Danzig with another recent widow, her daughter-in-law. After a six week stay, Margery looked for an escort home. But the King of Poland was at war with many countries which would deny her passage.

Yet, divine providence sent her a pilgrim named John, who Margery convinced - if she paid his way - to escort her part way home. While on foot, her new guide charged ahead at a breakneck speed, causing Margery to pant to keep up with him . (Keep in mind she was 60, which was old for the Middle Ages.)  She begged him to slow down, but he said he was afraid of robbers. Really? Either John had wanted to ditch her - something that Margery did not think as unusual as it had happened to her so many times before. Or perhaps John was keeping Margery so winded that she did not have the breath to lecture him on his self-improvement.

* Women *

St. Bridget of Sweden - Margery's role model

In the 15th century of northern Europe, St. Bridget of Sweden was one of the most revered saints. She had a great desire to reform the Church of its excesses and formed the Bridgettine order as an answer to this. Margery, who was determined to be a saint, saw many parallels in her own life with the life of St. Bridget. Margery's landlord in Rome - where she resided after she had been expelled by the English priest from the English hostel - actually had known St. Bridget when she was alive and visited Rome. Those in the household described St. Bridget as unpretentious, polite to everyone, cheerful disposition - a total opposite of Margery.

Dame Marguerite Florentine - a rich lady from Rome

While on route from Venice to Rome, Margery and Richard, the Irish beggar, stopped at Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscans. As divine fortune would provide, Lady Marguerite from Rome was making a pilgrimage to Assisi. And on her return journey, the lady graciously received Richard, the Irish beggar, and Margery, an English candidate for sainthood. The language barrier between them was a blessing and may be the reason they all got along so well.

The Worshipful Widow of London - not quite another Dame Marguerite

On her homeward journey to England from Danzig, Margery parted with her escort John (who seemed to want to shake her off) at Aachen, which was a favored spot for pilgrims passing through to Rome. There she looked for another escort to Calais, having the good fortune to find a rich widow from London.

The worshipful widow seemed very agreeable, much like Dame Marguerite Florentine, and said that Margery could join her group. That is until the more the worshipful widow saw of Margery, the less she cared for her. Before dawn the next day, the worshipful widow sped out of Aachan leaving Margery behind. This did not surprise Margery, as this type of thing had happened way too often.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

So is a sampling of some of the characters that came into Margery Kempe's life.

What made Margery's autobiography in the Middle Ages such good reading is that it was one of a real woman (with obvious faults), engaging with real people, having real adventures getting in and of scrapes while on the dangerous business of touring much Europe.

Could Chaucer come up with all this? Life is still stranger than fiction.

Next, there are universal lessons from Marjorie's life story - both positive and negative - which I plan to post in the next parts.