The Book of Margery Kempe is the first autobiography written in English and the first by a woman. More than a look into the life of a single woman it is a survey of the confusion and brokenness of the world in the 14th and 15th century.
Within the church, from which Margery would eventually be labeled a saint, there was concern and lack of knowledge about what was true. People did not know how to differentiate truth from confusion or distortation and the priests and friars, hardly less confused, could not shepherd the people effectively.
Amidst this context, Margery roamed on many adventurers all the while inconsolably weeping or getting into fights with priests. Much of my response to her behavior was a constant refrain of, “oh Margery!” However, a friend pointed out that much of her delusion and bizarre antics could be a result of pyshcological illness. She was a broken person and the basic confusion of the time had no proper response to help her or serve her and thus her story only confused others.
While we live in a distant age and a modern time, we do not live in an age without brokenness and confusion. The stories may be different now but they are symptoms of the same type of hurt and malady.
This book had me heartbroken for the church as a whole. Most of all, this book is a reminder that we need an understanding of what is whole and true. We need a way to indentify it, counsel those who do not understand, and comfort those who need healing. Much of the book was a confusion on the lovileness of Christ and his good news. Clarifying that story and properly applying it can make much progress in helping people like Margery.