We live in a world where we hear about so much division, back-biting, lying, killing, war, sex trafficking, abuse, abortion, etc. etc. It can be quite discouraging to say the least. I don’t watch the news but the little bits I see on the computer are enough for me.
One day I was meditating on this in front of the crucifix, and I was thanking God for dying for me and for the whole world. I told the Lord that I didn’t know how he could stand this world because He sees multiple evils all the time in the entire world. I asked him, “How do you stand it?”
As I was meditating on this, I thought of something Fr. Jack Vessels said once. (Fr. Jack was our community chaplain for seven years after Fr. Thomas died). He said, “There is a lot more good going on in the world than bad, we just don’t hear about it as much.”
As I pondered these words of Father Jack’s, I realized how acts of kindness, no matter how big or how small, matter. Of course I knew that speaking kind words and doing acts of kindness were a good thing; however, it went deeper.
Because Jesus sees so much meanness and evil in the world, I sensed Jesus saying how much more he is consoled when we perform acts of kindness great or small with great love. And to go a step further, Jesus leaps for joy when we perform loving acts to our enemies – to those who have hurt us. Wow! This really consoles Jesus (sends him doing cartwheels) giving him such amazing joy.
Fr. Thomas used to teach us to go against our evil inclinations. He learned this from St. Ignatius. For example:
- If I constantly want to get my food first, let the others go first and get at the back of the line.
- If I don’t feel like praying, then pray 5 minutes longer than my usual time.
- If I am tempted to gossip, think and say nice things about that person.
This will cause the evil temptations to flee and will help me to develop virtue and character.
So this makes sense with what I was sharing earlier. If I am discouraged from seeing all different kinds of evils, then don’t sit and be discouraged. Rather, pray and be all the more kinder. Performing more loving acts of kindness will console the heart of Jesus and further his kingdom while bringing peace.
Wow – isn’t that wonderful! It makes Jesus so happy!
Don’t sit and mope over the state of the world. Pray all the more, and perform small and large acts of kindness to those you love, to the poor, to whomever, including those who annoy you the most.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
I believe this will change the world!
God bless,
Mary Ann / Mother Hen
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