Bishop Odo

‘Don’t you know about Bishop Odo?’ Gus asked me in a far ranging conversation. I had to confess I didn’t and had to ask Mr Google.

I learnt that Odo was William the Conqueror’s half-brother. He lent William 100 ships as part of the invasion fleet and fought with him at the Battle of Hastings. He was awarded the earldom of Kent, England, as well as a number of other large estates. Later they fell out and Odo led rebellions against William.

Yesterday was an ordinary but busy day for me. I had a hospital appointment for eye-tests – to check that they haven’t deteriorated further… did some washing up at our church community café… completed and printed off our Christmas family letter… met Gus at the ‘Jolly Sailors’ and we chatted about family, friends and mutual concerns… watched friends entertaining with music and comedy in  ‘Cherie’s Christmas Cabaret’  at the Seagull Theatre.

As well as fighting with William in the Battle of Hastings it seems that Bishop Odo commissioned the Bayeux Tapestry. There’s one particular scene that shows Odo on a horse wielding a cudgel. The annotation embroidered onto the tapestry, translated from the Latin, reads: ‘Here Odo the bishop holding a club strengthens the boys’. He’s recorded as encouraging his troops…

I thought back over my day. I may not be wielding a cudgel, but I can still be an encouragement… accepting physical restrictions – not using them as an excuse… in ordinary everyday activities like washing up, writing, conversations… when I’m part of an audience, observing those who are directly involved in activity…

I’m reminded of words that I reflected on earlier this week: ‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…’

My prayer is that as I meet with folks today I’ll be aware of opportunities for encouragement, and better at giving encouragement.