In a world that often seems dominated by cynicism, division and self-interest, the simple act of being kind can have a profound and uplifting effect on others. From the teachings of the Bible to the guidance of the Magisterium and the lives of saints, we find a consistent and powerful call to kindness and compassion. Kindness toward others is an excellent form of evangelization that reflects the very nature of God.
Biblical Foundations of Kindness
The Bible is filled with exhortations to kindness, which is often synonymous with love in its truest form. In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah encapsulates God’s expectations succinctly: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, NRSV). Here, kindness is not merely an option but a divine requirement.
Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament further elevate the principle of kindness. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45, NRSV). Being compassionate and forgiving toward one’s enemies is perhaps the most radical form of kindness.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, also underscores the importance of kindness: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32, NRSV). Here, kindness is linked directly to the core Christian value of forgiveness, indicating that showing kindness is integral to living a Christ-like life.
The Magisterium on Kindness
The Catholic Church’s Magisterium, or teaching authority, has consistently emphasized the importance of kindness as a Christian virtue. Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel), encourages Christians to engage in what he calls a “revolution of tenderness.” He states, “The Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven, and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium, 114). This call directly translates to everyday acts of kindness and being nice to others, creating a culture of compassion within the Church and beyond.
Lessons from the Lives of Saints
The lives of the saints provide concrete examples of the power of being nice. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the “Little Flower,” exemplified this through her “little way” of small acts of kindness. She believed that even the smallest gestures, done with great love, could transform the world. Her life was a testament that greatness in God’s eyes often comes through humble, loving actions.
St. Francis of Assisi is another luminous example. His kindness extended to all of creation, reflecting his deep love for God and his fellow beings.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta is a saint whose life was a beacon of kindness. Her tireless work among the poorest of the poor in India demonstrated the transformative power of compassion. She famously said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Kindness as a Means of Evangelization
Being nice with others is not just a passive virtue but an active form of evangelization. When Christians embody kindness, they reflect the nature of God, who is love (1 John 4:8). Acts of kindness can break down barriers and open hearts to the message of the Gospel in ways that words alone cannot.
Witnessing Through Actions
Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, NRSV). Kindness is a visible sign of discipleship and God’s love. When people encounter genuine kindness, they experience a glimpse of God’s character. This can be especially powerful in a world where many have been wounded by harshness and indifference.
Revealing Inner Beauty
Beyond mere testimony, kindness allows us to reveal people’s inner beauty. Where harshness and disdain veil human dignity, kindness reveals the splendor of the soul created in the divine image. A kind gesture can awaken hope and joy in those who have lost themselves in the darkness of despair.
Kindness is a light that dispels the shadows of fear, loneliness, and doubt. By treating each person with gentleness and respect, we honor their inestimable worth in the eyes of the Creator. Through small acts of compassion, we become instruments of divine grace, sowing the seeds of transformation in weary hearts.
A Path to Holiness
For the faithful Christian, the way of kindness is not merely a distant ideal, but a concrete path towards holiness. By displaying goodness, patience, and forgiveness towards our neighbors, we embody the very virtues of Christ. Every occasion for kindness is an invitation to grow in union with the Divine.
Holiness is not reserved for the great heroes of faith, but is cultivated in the humble gestures of daily life. When we warmly welcome the stranger, treat people with gentleness and kindness, listen with compassion to the one who suffers, or forgive those who have offended us, we walk in the footsteps of the Savior himself.
In summary, kindness is much more than a mere virtue; it is a path of evangelization, inner transformation, and holiness. By cultivating a kind spirit, we become reflections of God’s unconditional love, spreading the light of the Gospel in a world thirsting for compassion and hope.
Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Articles on evangelization and parish revitalization:
- How to Bring Someone to Christ
- The Ultimate Purpose of Human Life – Glorifying God
- From Near-Death to New Life: A Rural Church’s Revitalization Journey
- Evangelization simply: “Taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8)
- Revitalization of Rural Churches
- Attracting Converts to the Catholic Faith
- Addressing Low Attendance in Churches
- Fostering a Sacred Atmosphere during the Sunday Mass
- Prayer to be baptized in the Holy Spirit
- Jesus is Thirsty for Souls
- Praying And Sharing The Good News With God’s Redemptive Names
- Embracing the Call to Evangelize
- What is Most Pleasing to God? Bringing Souls to Christ
- The Growth of the Church of the Nativity (Fr. Michael White)
- Deliverance Prayer, by Fr. Stephen J. Rossetti (AUDIO – mp3)
- The Growth of Saint Benedict Parish (Fr. James Mallon)
- Five Pillars of the Christian Life
- Encountering Christ: The Path to Transformation
- What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
- Unleashing The Evangelization Potential of Your Parish
- The Ultimate Goal of Evangelization
- God’s Longing for Love and our Mission to Make it Known
- A prayer for those whom we wish to encounter Christ
- Memorable Sundays
- Fr. Bedard’s Three-Step Blueprint for Evangelisation
- Guide for The Missionary Transformation of Parishes
- Divine Encounters: A Practical Guide for Small Evangelization Groups
- The Missionary Transformation of Sant’Eustorgio Parish
- Creating Vibrant Faith Communities: Insights from ‘Excellent Catholic Parishes’
- Sharing The Gospel According to People’s Needs And Receptivity
- A Prayer for Inviting Others to Evangelization Meetings and Services
- Welcoming Church Guests and Visitors: Dos and Don’ts
- Various Dimensions of Evangelization
- The True Measure of Success
- Pope Francis on Evangelization
- Revitalizing the Rural Parish for Mission
- Factors Leading to Christian Conversion
- Evangelizing Through Random Acts of Kindness
- Questions To Start Spiritual Conversations
- Three Feet From Gold
- Spreading the Gospel One Act at a Time
- Gather, Witness and Invite
- Prayer to Receive the Spiritual Gifts of The Holy Spirit
- The Language of Evangelization
- Key Factors for Parish Growth According to Rich Birch
- How to defeat Satan?
- Bringing Love, Hope and Healing Through the Gospel
- Love: Our Fundamental Vocation
- Touched by the Master
- A Man, a Dog, and the Ultimate Love
- The essence of evangelization: Loving God and our neighbours
- Loving Our Enemies and Reconciling with Others
- A Powerful Prayer for Healing: You Are The LORD Who Heals Me
- Living a Life of Love: Mother Teresa’s Legacy
- Living a Life of Love: Lessons from the New Testament
- In The Shadows Of Darkness, A Powerful Force Is At Work
- 19 Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth
- The Missionary Renewal of Catechesis
- Characteristics of missionary parishes
- Powerful healing prayer attributed to St. Padre Pio
- We are called to share our faith with others
- Should we seek to grow the Church?
- Find a Need and Fill It – Revealing God’s Heart in the Community
- 15 Habits to Evangelize on a Daily Basis
- The Church’s Mission
- Three Barriers to Building An Invitational Culture In Your Parish
- The Relational Evangelizer
- Doing Church at Home
- The Blind Girl
- A Group of Frogs
- The Elephant Rope
- A Shared Faith is a Growing Faith
- In The Shoes Of The Unchurched
- Parish Evangelizing Cells
- Six Unique Features of Missional Parishes
- Steps Towards Becoming A Missional Parish
- What Is Evangelization, And How Should It Be Carried Out?
- Discussion And Self-Assessment Questions For Parish Evangelization
- A Missional Church Is A Church That Prays
- The Jesus Prayer: A Method To Pray At All Times
- What can help children raised Catholic continue practicing the faith as adults?
- An Example of a Missionary Parish: Phoenix First Assembly of God
- Satan’s Tactics
- Learning to Be a Missionary
- When we cry out to God, he answers
- Presence and Proclamation
- Saving those who are lost
- Saint-Nazaire Parish: The story of a missionary transformation
- Small Groups and Evangelization
- Evangelizing By Inviting People To Receive Jesus As Lord And Saviour
- You Will Receive Power…
- Have You Heard About the Law of Three Hearings and Seven Touches?
- Three Habits of a Fruitful Christian Life
