Kindness and Humility

St. Padre Pio: "You need to hold fast to two virtues: kindness toward your neighbor and humility toward God."

I made a point to fly to another city to meet some friends who were traveling, and I had not seen them for some time. It was worth the effort. They were so kind to me even though we had not seen each other in a while. In this world where people and friends disappear, it was good to be treated so well. When someone I know arrived in my city, they first asked me where to go to mass. I made a point to go with them to make them feel comfortable. It was impressive to see this person make a point to go to find a Catholic Church. When I went to meet those friends in another city, I told them I was taking an early morning flight, so I needed to go to mass once I arrived. They were very helpful. The kindness we show to others is always remembered. I helped with the RCIA in my parish this year and recently, I made a point to go to mass where they would usually go. I wanted to support them as they learn about their faith. Small things are important.

St. Peter Chrysologus: "If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give."

Recently, it was the feast day of Ste. Therese of Lisieux’s parents, Louis and Marie-Zelie Martin. I have been to their graves in Lisieux. They were a simple couple who raised very devout children. Being a Catholic is not about doing the ‘right’ things but following Christ. This involves sacrifice and obedience. Two things that are not so easy to do. Sts. Priscilla and Aquila were close to St. Paul. They were mentioned often in the Acts of the Apostles. Their home was used as a Church in the early days after Christ ascended into heaven. They were tent makers but they lived a reality that drew others to them. Simplicity is so important. We do not need to make a big show of our faith. It needs to make evident God’s love for us. Others will know we are Christians by our love.

St. Basil the Great: "A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love."

What do we want from our life? What do we want from Christ and more importantly, what does he want from us? Huge questions can only be answered in silence and through listening to others who are ahead of us. My short trip involved visiting a Church that is quite the tourist attraction. While I was at mass, people were wandering around looking at the Church. The Church is not a museum. It is the house of the Lord and needs to be treated as such. Sometimes, I enter some churches, and it is a social event. It makes me sad. For me, I need to be at mass to visit our Lord. My grandmother told me years ago when I was a child that since I visited her often, I need to visit our Lord in His house. Visiting others, being with others is great but it needs to have a meaning. It needs a reason and that reason is Christ.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux: "Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity."