LOVING KINDNESS

Psalms 100:4-5
For He is good: the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and His faithfulness, to all generations.
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I still remember that my class section in Grade 3 was “Kindness”. But I tell you, that section is not really kind to others. Not that we bully other kids in school, but we are really a rowdy bunch – teasing each other, running around after school, shouting on top of our voices. It was children having pure fun. And those days were really fun as we do what we really want to do.

Kindness in scripture is more often equated with love. The word for kindness in Hebrew and Greek is interchangeable with mercy, goodness, loyalty, faithfulness, but most of all steadfast love. Kindness is the visible action of love directed toward others. Similarly, God is praised for being kind – for showing His steadfast love in so many ways. But, sadly, it is really hard for us to show the same kindness that God is showing us. Why?

This is because our culture tolerates rude, angry, unkind, and violent behavior. No one really likes this, but they have become so commonplace that we have just accepted it. Even after going to mass or service, most of us would start saying bad things about others once we get out of the church. This has got to stop. We should not be kind in names only (like my section in grade school). We should live it everyday, as the Lord is good, whose kindness endures forever. How can we be kind to Him, and yet be very unkind to others.

Cultivating kindness will overcome so many of the problems we suffer. It is that simple. If David could demonstrate the kindness of God then I believe we can too with the help of the Holy Spirit. We hope that we, the people of our ages and the generations to come will truly be called Christians or the Kind Ones. Let us strive to live up to both names.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, You are the source of true kindness. You are our only hope. We trust in You for all the promises of forgiveness and help and life that Your Son bought when He died. We belong freely to You forever and ever.

Amen +

Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.