St Mary's Prays
"Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle" - Charles Glassman
Kindness is an important virtue, and such an appropriate one to finish our school term on. This is the realisation that we are all in this together. Being kind not only has an impact on those around us but also has a direct effect on us ourselves as individuals.
Kindness is selfless, compassionate and merciful. Jesus demonstrates this virtue exquisitely to us all so not once or twice in the New Testament, but multiple times. One that personally resonates with myself is, Jesus Heals the Leper.
When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” – Matthew 8:1-4
Through this, Jesus taught us kindness should go beyond stereotypes. We shouldn't judge others yet show a true understanding of people and their circumstances. In the words of Mother Teresa, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them".
Kindness means treating others with consideration and respect – it is the quality of acting in a friendly, loving and generous manner. In a nutshell, it is treating people the way you would like to be treated.