OT 27 A – Kindness

October 8, 2023
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In today’s reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, we read:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!   Your kindness should be known to all.  The Lord is near.  Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.  Then the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4: 6-9).

The 14th Dalai Lama said, “Be kind whenever possible.  It is always possible.”  Others throughout history have made similar statements about kindness, and many have put this virtue into practice in extraordinary ways; St. Teresa of Calcutta comes to mind.

Imagine a world where kindness reigns.  Now, let’s put it into action.  We begin with our own actions, putting kindness into action by our thoughts, words, and actions.  Hopefully, it’ll be contagious.