Kindness

Yesterday was Victoria Day, and many places were closed. There was an eerie stillness on the streets of Chatham. 

Mondays are when we make our brown bag lunches available to anyone and everyone. 

Since it was a holiday Monday, we expected fewer people . 

As I was sitting at my desk in my office, I heard the unmistakable sound of a lone cardinal singing in the tree just outside my window. Its beautiful red feathers made it look like a single rose amongst the greenery. 

It was not long before a large crowd of our regulars, our sisters and brothers, showed up for brown bag lunches. 

There were many new faces, new friends. 

The brown bag lunches went quickly. 

A gentleman showed up just as the last brown bag lunch was handed out. He was too late. 

He asked if we had some chocolate because his blood sugar was low. 

The man who had the last brown bag lunch came up to him and offered the cookies from his own brown bag lunch. The gentleman accepted the cookies thankfully. 

That was a profound moment of grace. 

An act of kindness between two strangers. 

Moments like these transcend everything, breaking down barriers and providing common ground.  

Kindness is a sacred common ground. 

The picture I included is of a sign that I had made up several weeks ago. 

Now that the weather has improved I will be walking the streets of Chatham holding the sign and hoping to engage strangers in conversation about kindness. 

I took it into Starbucks last week. I engaged a table of retired people who told me that kindness is becoming extinct. I argue otherwise. Yes, this is a broken world in which we live. We are experiencing difficult times, make no mistake. In the Gospel of John for this Sunday it reads"But the Advocate, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you . I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."  

Words of comfort

Sisters and brothers, kindness will move mountains, one little random act at a time. 

Let us pray

Lord God, almighty and everlasting, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, or be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen 

Que Diosito me los colme de bendiciones y alegría hoy y siempre  

Paz 

I love you 

John 

Be kind to yourselves 

Be kind to others 

Be kind to all animals 

Be kind to Mother Earth 

Be kind