Kindness

It would seem that anyone who shows consistent kindness would be easy to trust consistently. Sadly, this is not always the case. Jesus was kind to Judas, even calling him “friend” in the very act of being betrayed (see Mt 26:50). In spite of witnessing Jesus’ tender kindness in healing the sick, feeding the hungry with multiplied loaves, raising the dead, and so on, Judas didn’t trust him to bring about the promised final triumphant kingdom of God. Similarly, the Israelites experienced God’s kindness but failed in their trust of him, as Moses lamented: “In the wilderness . . . you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as one carries a child. . . . In spite of this, you have no trust in the Lord your God” (Dt 1:31-32).

This tragedy can happen only to those whose trust is weak or is not cultivated by an ever-deeper appreciation of the Lord’s tenderhearted kindness to them. Hence the admonition of Paul: “Take note of . . . God’s kindness toward you” (Rom 11:22). The more we appreciate and revel in the Lord’s kindness to us, the more our trust in him flourishes. If I might coin a platitude: “When kindness is exulted trust is exalted.”

This excerpt is from the book Pathways of Trust, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.