Some of us have a way of being — nestling into the world quietly.
My friend, the Rev. Pius Wekesa, is mostly the opposite — joyful, vivacious, humorous, outgoing, effervescent — and yes, it is his teeth one firsts sees, sparkling on the alter as his smile’s bandwidth is larger than the room.
Always ready to erupt into a laugh, Pius’ uncommon joy and eternal love for the Lord is evidential — he was right to answer the calling.
Walking up the aisle at the beginning of mass in most churches is a solemn, reverent ordeal, but with Pius he is smiling and waving as if you are in his home leaving no mistake — these people are indeed his beloved family.
If that isn’t indication enough, during Holy Communion or as one is leaving he is known to say, “What a nice surprise,” as if you are an old aunt coming for a family reunion, or “Thank you for coming,” — always appreciating and never taking for granted one’s presence at St. John the Baptist Church.
And that is the point, my friends, his loving kindness leaves the building where it is passed to the grocery store cashier, the waiter at the restaurant and the sick wife at home.
While his ebullience is foremost, other emotions have their place, as before mass one can find him kneeling in his office silently praying the rosary or consulting with families about their grief in the most soothing, patient and peaceful ways.
And to those interrupting, which I accidentally have, immediately he ensures it is OK, and who’s to argue with his welcoming high-fives or warm embraces.
I am learning prayer has that effect on people, bringing kindness, love and understanding even in the most difficult times. For Pius it is like breathing and a pretty constant practice, but for some it is a challenge.
I heard of a man who for lent decided to sit out in front of a business, praying about 20 minutes a day from his car for the folks inside. This practice led the man to care about the strangers, hoping they had good days and lives and wanting them to stay safe.
This type of gesture might be started Thursday, as it is The National Day of Prayer, designated by Congress, asking people “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”
Prayer, one of the most ancient expressions, is an awareness of dependency in relation to one’s tribe to the Supreme Being, and often sent to various others including the dead, nature, saints or angels.
According to research, some of the earliest prayers may have been straight-forward cries repeated as incantations, such as “Hear me,” or “Have pity.”
Most major religions involve prayer in one way or another; some ritualizing it, requiring a strict sequence of actions or placing a restriction on who is permitted to pray, while others teach that prayer may be practiced spontaneously by anyone at any time — my favorite.
While listening to a sermon on the radio recently, the preacher said, while it is difficult, we must also pray for the people we dislike, because that is the teaching of Jesus.
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” the “Lord’s Prayer” reads — a tall order indeed.
Pius is answering another call soon, leaving St. John’s in the hands of another priest. And to Pius’ new parishioners — what a lovely light is about to fall upon you.
My dad always said, “It is not the priest — we go because of the church and the sacraments.” He normally said that in times when most people disliked the priest, helping keep our eyes on the ball.
But what do we do when we love him?
Missing you already; and that is all.
News Editor Carolyn Harmon can be reached at charmon@rrdailyherald.com or 252-410-7058.
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