Reflection in Ordinary Time During a Pandemic - One Foot in Front of the Other

Monochrome rendition of 13th-century wall painting
 of Saint Richard of Chichester,
painted not long after his canonisation
- Source: Wikipedia Commons

Even as Alberta discontinues its "public health emergency" status and eases into more public activities, most of us recognize the need to maintain cleaniliness and distancing protocols to protect and care for our neighbours as ourselves.

This may mean for many that this time is still rather stressful -- especially the uncertainty of how long it might be until there is a vaccine and better treatment for this very new virus among us.  It remains a time of caution and uncertainty.

Yesterday the Church of England remembered Richard, Bishop of Chichester, who is remembered in other parts of the Anglican Communion -- such as Canada -- on April 3.

He was known as a reformer with respect to the lives of the clergy (morals and manners) and was keen "...to introduce greater order and reverence to the services of the church".  He even over-ruled King Henry III on more than one occasion!

After his death his tomb at Chichester Cathedral became a place of pilgrimage, where it's believed many miracles occurred, and he eventually was canonized by the Roman Catholic church.

Some of us may be familiar with a prayer written by Richard, without being aware of it...for it was paraphrased in a song that was part of the musical production, Godspell.  See if you can pick out the lyrics:

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,
Follow Thee more nearly.

            Source: Bullock-Webster, Acts and Devotion, Prayer 48, p.31

It might just be the ear-worm we need right now, as day by day, we put one foot in front of the other, walking out life with the Lord...