Holy Family, How Much Kindness Can We Generate?

    What the world needs now is more kindness. Divisions among us are causing an escalation of disrespect and hatred. Recent Pew polls indicate that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that the many acts of violence and hatred in our world are being fueled by our disagreements. We are even in disagreement about the need for force and military power.

    In the face of our varying opinions on a number of issues, religiously, politically and militarily, (just to name a few), I believe that carrying out simple acts of kindness can help to bridge some of our divisions. As a result, we here at Holy Family are launching a KINDNESS initiative this weekend that will coincide with one of the staples of Lent – charity. I believe that kindness is a form of charity, and I am encouraging all of you to embrace Kindness as a form of charity as well.

    We welcome our own Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, who will be speaking at all Masses this weekend, giving us a foundation for kindness. The Gospel this weekend is commonly called the Beatitudes and also referred to as the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:1-12 for details).

    JP will do a great job of reflecting on this passage as he always does. His comments will help to ground our 40 Days of Kindness initiative. As I reflect on that passage, I like to emphasize that Jesus goes up a mountain. This always gives me an opportunity to point out that there are many ways to look at life and many analogies and travel images, such as – life is an adventure, or a road, or a path. Jesus ascending the mountain reminds us that we are all climbing a mountain. We are ascending, ultimately to heaven.

    Throughout the scriptures, when people want to connect with God, they climb a mountain. The accompanying belief is that God meets us on the mountain top.  We so often instinctively gesture upward when we seek or cry out to God. The top of the mountain facilitates a spiritual exercise of God descending to meet us as we ascend to connect with God. The mountain top then, is classically a meeting place where our partnership with God is expressed or sealed.

    The passage from Matthew then goes on to say that Jesus sits down, calls his disciples, and begins to articulate where blessedness can be found. Several of the places he cites are somewhat expected.  For example, there is blessedness in being a peacemaker, a person of mercy, a person with a clean heart, and a person who does what is right (justice and righteousness are synonyms). 

    But Jesus says there is blessedness in unexpected places as well. The first statement sets the stage for the rest. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” There are many interpretations of this, but I believe that if we have a poverty of spirit, we are humbly admitting that there is more to learn about God, faith, spirituality, in this case, kindness. He goes on to say that there is blessedness in being meek, and when we mourn and when we are persecuted, particularly persecution for the sake of the Gospel and what Jesus Christ stands for. These are unexpected sources of blessedness.

    Let us apply this message to our Kindness initiative.  From now until Easter, let’s carry out kindness in ways that are expected and to those we love. But let’s also carry out kindness in unexpected ways. Let us extend kindness to those who think differently than we do, to those with differing opinions politically and religiously.  Let us be kind where it is expected and let us be kind where it is not expected.

    We want to collect our cumulative number of kindness acts. Go to our website to begin recording your acts of kindness and we will track them. The 40 Days of Kindness is prominently displayed on our website. Simply click on the link and fill out the form. You can also record your act of kindness on the form that will be available in our pews, in the narthex and at the front desk. If you want to go old school you can simply write down your acts of kindness and the location on a piece of paper and drop them in the collection boxes in the narthex. We simply want to know what kindness you did and where you did it.

    ALSO, we want to engage as many people as possible outside of Holy Family to participate. Ask your family and friends, even coworkers to write down their acts of kindness and the location.

    Let us be kind and more aware of the power of kindness. Your acts may be as simple as holding a door for someone, complimenting them, offering to help in some way, cooking a meal, writing a note, making a call, or giving a surprise gift. Be creative with this initiative. I know that this will raise the awareness of the importance of kindness as well as challenging us to be kinder in creative and intentional ways. You may be surprised that you are kinder than you think as you record and share your acts.

Kindness to Puerto Rico

As is our custom, again this year we will partner with Catholic Extension Society to offer assistance to several parishes and programs in Puerto Rico ravaged by recent hurricanes and earthquakes. Details will be coming soon. Your kindness to those in need in Puerto Rico and other areas certainly can be shared in our 40 Days of Kindness initiative.