Inside My Church: Why Knight Of John Should Exist

By Dr jarlat Uche opara

I would have been a Knight years ago. If I had done the initiation , probably would have been a Papal Knight. Not my calling anyway and the disposition to become one very challenging booting to a conviction level.

A good order I must confess and its military attaire and exercise very admirable.

Walking into my church this Sunday morning, the air in the church thrummed with a palpable energy, a symphony of hushed anticipation and quiet reverence. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, painting the scene in a kaleidoscope of colors that danced upon the polished wooden pews. It made today very significant, a day when the Knights and Ladies of St. John gathered, their presence transforming the familiar space in the church auditorium into something extraordinary.

As I settled, a sea of heads in a vibrant regalia filled the church. Each knight and lady, adorned in their distinct colors, stood as a testament to their dedication and commitment. The uniforms, rich with symbolism and history, created a tapestry of hues that commanded attention and respect, stiring the more the desire in some to join. The air inside the church was filled with a sense of ceremony, a feeling of stepping into a world where tradition and faith intertwined.

With the church now alive with the presence of the Knights and Ladies, their private prayers in some parts of the liturgy became a congregational chants and recitation. The voices of them united in purpose, echoed through the church’ auditorium, filling the space with a resonant harmony as they bellowed in commanding voices, a rousing display of devotional prayer, a powerful reminder of the bonds that tied them together.

Those words, charged with meaning, created a wave of emotion, a feeling of community and shared beliefs amongst them and by extention to the congregation.

As the Mass ended, the hall for reception became a beehive. A moment of relishing all sorts within modern culinary menu of an expert chef. Eat, drink, exchang pleasantries were the order, leaving many filled with food and excited with the ingredients of fine brewed wine.

Knighthood as a institution is a good thing in the church. Values, integrity, moral and defence of the church its core values and drive. But the question is , how committed are the human agents in the organisation that should drive it and give it a human face. Many are my good friends and their integrity and character I would vouch for. However, there are equally many who are effigy of disgrace to the order.

Well done Knight of St John International Abuja and congratulations to my friends who were initiated today. Carry this light given to you today. However whirl the wind is, never allow it to be blown off. The perception of people about you has taken a twist, no more an ordinary person but one with the duty to carry the image of the church and Christ unstained, ready to lay your life and be an epitome of integrity, value, morals and decency.

Jarlathuche@gmail.com