As an observer of human nature, there is something that I want to present to you that does not always make headlines, but quietly shapes the very heart of our society – Kindness. We live in a world that is fast, loud and often divided. In the rush to get ahead, to be right, or to be heard, kindness can seem like a soft skill --- something optional. But let me ask you this: when was the last time someone’s kindness made your day better? Did you encounter a stranger who, maybe held a door open for you, or a friend checking in on you when you needed it most or a colleague offering their help without being asked? These small gestures don’t make the big headlines, but they work to make life livable.
I recently had a personal encounter, that has stayed with me for over a year, and for which I often recount when I speak to our need to express kindness to others. I was in church one Sunday, acting as a lector for our 10:00 Mass. Following our service, a gentleman who I consider a good friend came up to me, looked me in the eye and asked, “what is wrong Joe, I can sense that something is bothering you?” My initial response was how could he know that I was hurting emotionally? I responded to him with what was going on with my son Jon, and our conversation provided an emotional moment for each of us. What a beautiful moment, his simple act of compassion helped me through a troubling moment, and gave me a chance to verbalize my feelings. While his act of kindness elicited an emotional response, I must add that kindness isn’t weak; it is powerful, cuts through fear, bridges differences and it heals. As Mark Twain said, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
So, what does kindness look like today? It looks like listening without judgement, speaking gently when things get tense, offering help without keeping score, and choosing to care even when it is inconvenient. We all have a role to play; we don’t need a title, money, or permission to be kind, we just need to decide right now to lead with empathy. I challenge each of you to do one intentional act of kindness today; not because we expect something in return, but because we believe it will make for a better world. Let me leave you with this quote from Princess Diana: “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” Thank you for listening, for caring, and for being the kind of person who makes the world a little softer, a little brighter, and a lot stronger.