Many times in Africa I was called up short for not properly and kindly greeting people. In my brusque U.S. manner, I would rush to the heart of the matter in making a request: “One ticket, two eggs, or how much is this?” The response was a kinder, gentler greeting: “Good morning, Father.” Only then could we do business. Greetings are important. Might we not offer such informal greetings as a pleasant surprise at the check-out counter, to the bus driver, to the bank teller, or the police officer at the mall? Might we not listen to our children or a neighbor more patiently and set aside our automatic answers and solutions?
When we do speak, might we heed the advice of Adolfo Nicolas, S.J., Superior General of the Jesuits [2008-2016], who said that before speaking, you should ask three questions about what you will say: “Is it true, is it kind and gentle, and is it good for others?”
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel saw the beauty of kindness: “When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” And St. Paul urged the Christians of Rome to “remain in his [God’s] kindness” (Rom 11:22).
Lent is the Christian’s journey with Jesus to Jerusalem. The Gospel of Matthew says of Jesus that “a bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench until he brings justice to victory” (12:20); Jesus is “meek and humble of heart” (11:29). This Lent let us try to put on the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. It is an appropriate time to show forth God’s kindness, and at the very least to “try a little kindness.”
Source: Found in Michael Leach, et al., (eds.), The Way of Kindness: Readings for a Graceful Life, pp. 215-216.
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