“Three things I pray: to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day.” (Richard of Chichester (1197–1253)
I’ve heard this prayer before, but this morning these words hit home in a powerful way. So much so that I am making this my new daily prayer.
These words may sound familiar to you. I first heard them years ago in the musical Godspell. This is a controversial musical about the life of Jesus. Jesus and his followers are presented as a rag tag community of clowns, trying to make their community a better place. I’m attaching the video clip below, but be careful.
Don’t get stuck on the symbolic presentation of Jesus and His followers as clowns. This is exactly how the religious leaders viewed Jesus and His followers, as a bunch of fools. Let the words of this prayer, and the message in the symbolism of folly, hit home for you as you try to find His Way in this crazy, mixed up world.