Be Kind – It Costs Nothing

by Sr. Joan Jurski, OSF

Be kind to your sister, be kind to your brother, be kind to your friends. I can wager that many of us remember our Moms or Dads saying that to us as children. Did we always hear them? Sometimes it was difficult. Today, as adults, who is telling us to be kind to each other? Scripture reminds us, “Therefore as God’s people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and humility.” Pope Francis is constantly reminding the world and each of us that kindness is compassion and “compassion is the lens of the heart.”

I was reminded of these admonitions about kindness a few months ago when I received a letter from a former student I taught in Michigan in 1965. It surprised me that she was able to find me since I had gone back to my Baptismal name, and she knew me as Sister John Bosco. Later I would learn that she worked for the FBI for 40 years. They certainly do find their man or woman!

It was a very pleasant surprise hear from her. In fact, her letter made my day. She wrote, “You always managed to make me feel worthwhile as a person. Once you complemented me and I felt such positive energy.”  Although I do not remember her specifically, I do recall some lovely years teaching at the school. None of us knows for certain how what we do and say to others will have a positive or negative affect. Her letter made me feel thankful that I was able to reach out to her. Since receiving that letter, she and I have been in contact. So, I am thankful for a new friend.

Reflecting on her words, I wondered: how do I live the belief that all persons are worthy of my compassion, that kindness is recognizing the common humanity of my neighbor? Sometimes it may be difficult. That’s when I need to call on the Sprit to bolster my resolve.

It only takes a moment to smile, to offer a kind word, to recognize the pain of another. It does not take much time. It seems today our world is so busy even to take a moment and reach out to another, to recognize another. We hear complaints about a divided country. Perhaps if each of us took time to share a bit of kindness to one person at a time we might begin to change things. Perhaps smiling and thanking the store clerk, offering a helping hand to someone who may seem completely alone, recognizing the mailman or lady, calling a relative or friend who may be distant in space or relationship, being kind and open to friends and relatives who may differ in religious and political beliefs, connecting with someone who may be different in age, sex or color – maybe that is enough.

Who do I make feel worthwhile? Who do I help to feel energized?  These answers will tell me how healthy the lens of my heart beats.

St. Francis would remind us today what he preached and practiced so many years ago, “All creation is a precious a gift of God.” How do I handle a gift from God?