Barefoot Bishop

St Richard of Chichester was not afraid of hard work - neither was he a stranger to hard times. He worked his way from financial devastation at the hands of another to an Oxford education - although without the benefit of a winter fire - in the damp Oxford winters I cannot imagine not heat. But he persevered and became, eventually, Bishop of Chichester. A seat which the king would not let him take up for two years.

The new bishop lived in poverty but nevertheless fulfilled his episcopal calling - insisting on good order for both clergy and laity - a big deal when the king was pocketing all of his own revenues by locking him out of his palace.

There is something to be learned from the sheer stubborness of a saint like Richard - the sheer unswerving constancy of his call - he believed that God had called him to be the Bishop and Bishop he would be even if it meant walking the Diocese barefoot.

I wonder how many of us would have similar resolve or how many of us make excuses for ourselves not to do the things which we know we should do? I know I am in the excuse camp way too often. As we approach Holy Week let's keep in mind the barefoot Bishop - we know we are called from palms, to table, to garden, to cross to joy and all of those in some measure and in some way. Its a journey we should plan and take time for - perhaps St. Richard's prayer is a good one as we prepare:

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits thou hast given me, for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly, day by day.