Last Thursday, I attended a funeral – nay, an event – where Adoor thronged to bid adieu to a man who was a constant fixture in their lives.
As I was squeezed by the horde of mourners, I couldn’t help but wonder what made this priest so special. He was not a great orator, nor was he high up in the church hierarchy. How come so many people took a day off from work to pay respects to this seemingly ordinary priest?
You can discount the usual players like politicians or his fellow priests, as they typically make a guest appearance at these occasions. But rather unusually for a priest not high up in the totem pole, heads of at least two different Christian sects paid their respects to him. Even the bishop of a Church with rather acrimonious relations with his was present throughout. More importantly ordinary people not necessarily from his “flock” thronged to see him for one last time. It made me wonder how an unassuming priest could leave such a lasting impact.
A Man of the People 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
I guess it was because he was a man of the people; the first person to reach them in times of happiness or grief. It didn’t matter who you were or how much money you had. No matter the religion, caste, or creed, he treated everyone equally, always with a smile. Even when slighted, he remained humble, without an ounce of malice, always ready to welcome those who affronted him in his warm embrace. He was always there.
He did not think a priest’s service began and ended at the church altar. Unlike many of his tribe, he lived among the people, just like the Savior he and others like him claim to represent. He donned many hats and was an effervescent presence in Adoor. 🎩 More on this link
Connections That Count ❤️
As we all shuffled out, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth. It reminded me that the connections we forge in life are what truly count. So, maybe it’s time to make more of those.
Next time you’re out and about, smile at a stranger, call an old friend, or simply be present just like Boban achan did. You never know whose life you might touch. 🌟
P.S. While Boban achan’s death came as a shock to me, I gather that he had been complaining of chest pains for the past week, but unfortunately chose to ignore it. I wish good people were a tad less selfless.