Kindness

“God bless those who clean up the pain and grief of the world without seeking recognition, for their sorrow, too, will turn to joy. May God grant us the grace to relieve suffering as we are able, offer gestures of comfort to those in need, tell the truth with love, and assuage the world’s pain whenever we meet it. And may the Lord say to us, “Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom” (Mt 25:34).” (Dynamis 2/17/2023)

 “When a person truly loves Christ, he cannot but help to love all people — simultaneously. One loves them without asking them if they are worthy of such love, even if they deny this offering outright and reject it. Christian love … is an unselfish love: sacrificial, kenotic, without boundaries and limits, and without discrimination. It is love that does not seek reciprocation or acceptance. It does not seek approval, praise, or recognition.” (St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia

“In the present reading from Saint Mark’s Gospel, we find four more examples of kindness shown to Him at His Passion. First, there is the compassion of a soldier in the execution squad and an unknown person in the crowd, then the steadfast witness of the centurion and the dedication of a small group of women who support His ministry. When the Roman soldiers escort the Lord Jesus to Golgotha, the crucifixion site, one of the squad offers Him wine laced with myrrh to drink (Mk 15:23). Were the Lord to consume this narcotic concoction, it surely would have deadened His pain, creating a mood of euphoria and perhaps shortening His suffering. The soldier’s act reveals a profound degree of human kindness, and recalls Jesus’ promise that anyone who gives Him drink when He is thirsty – or “[does] it to one of the least of these My brethren” – will inherit the Kingdom (Mt 25:35, 40). Thank God, such kind gestures still happen daily across the globe.” (Dynamis 2/17/2023)

“We often hear of “random acts of kindness.” Truly, they are significant. So often it is the actions we deem insignificant that leave the most lasting impressions in others.” (Fr. Joshua Makoul)

“… ordinary events in our everyday life are what will judge us. Not wisdom, not political power and authority, not material wealth and money, not bodily strength and beauty. It’s not these things that will have merit on the day of judgement. It’ll be simple things that we come across in our daily lives. A plate of food, a gift of money, support for somebody who’s going through a hard time, even just a visit to somebody who’s in pain. All of these can be done on the quiet, without a fanfare and public display. Christians who believe and who activate their faith keep themselves to themselves and avoid the pompous exhibitions to which we’ve become accustomed these days. The only thing we can take into the next life is our loving-kindness, which is our defense before God.” (Bishop Dionysios of Kozani)

“We can be sure that we also come in contact every day with many people who are carrying heavy burdens, facing trying situations, or worrying about the future. Oftentimes, they can unknowingly be the very people closest to us. They need and long for a kind word, a sympathetic ear, and a warm smile that reflects a caring heart.” (Rev. Andrew Demotses)

“Sometimes it is easy to get so overwhelmed with all of the problems we see around us that we can slip into a mindset of what can I possibly do to make things better and end up doing nothing at all. I find it is useful when I feel that way to remember that some small act of kindness, no matter what the circumstance, is better than no kindness at all. You never know what the smallest gesture may mean to someone.” (Sacramental Living Ministries)

“ ‘We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves’ (Romans 15:1)… Bear with does not mean “to put up with,” but rather “to carry together” (see Gal 6:2). It is in imitation of Christ, who bore all of humanity's weaknesses, that the strong in faith lovingly and joyfully identify with the weaker believers.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Romans 15:1-3)

“Remember, God is love. Do as much kindness as you can to save yourself by this kindness. Be modest, as God bestows mercy upon His humble servants. Repent of your sins and don’t wait for tomorrow, as it is the trap of the devil. Love each other, as loveless man cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.” (St. Gabriel the Confessor of Georgia)

“God bless those who clean up the pain and grief of the world without seeking recognition, for their sorrow, too, will turn to joy. May God grant us the grace to relieve suffering as we are able, offer gestures of comfort to those in need, tell the truth with love, and assuage the world’s pain whenever we meet it. And may the Lord say to us, “Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom” (Mt 25:34).” (Dynamis 2/21/2020)

"Galatians 5:22 talks about kindness as being one of the fruits of the Spirit. The Greek word for ‘kindness’ is chrēstotēs. It means “benignity, tender concern, uprightness.” It is kindness of heart and kindness of act. We all need to do our part to genuinely do acts of chrēstotēs/kindness in our daily circumstances.” (Sacramental Living Blog, S. Michael Houdmann)

“We must see to it that our pleasing of others always ministers to their good in some way, edifies them, adds something to their character, and makes them braver, truer, and happier. The world is full of discouraged people, and we have the power to say a hopeful word or do a kindness which will drive the discouragement from their hearts...” (St. Alexandra, Tsaritsa of Russia)

“We have no commandment from God to make the world a better place. We have no commandment from God to “make a difference.” Only God makes a difference, and only God knows what “better” would actually mean. As Christians, the proper life is one lived in accordance with the commandments. We should love. We should forgive. We should be generous and kind. We should give thanks to God always and for everything. We should understand that this is a description of the “better world.” We are not making a better world, we’re waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God. With every act of love, there is the Kingdom. With every act of forgiveness, there is the Kingdom. Every act of generosity and kindness sees its inauguration. As Christ told us, “The Kingdom of God is among you.” (Father Stephen Freeman)

“The grateful person finds joy and is thankful for even the smallest of gifts—another day, any expression of love, the smallest kindness.” (Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis)

“May our speech imitate His kindness, modesty, and truth, guided by our trust in the Lord.” (Dynamis 5/25/2018)

“One of the New Testament commands is that Christians display kindness toward other believers (Romans 12:10)...Such kindness is a response to God’s wonderful kindness to us....as we bless others in this way, we will find ourselves receiving similar blessings of kindness (Luke 6:38).” (Foundation Study Bible, Romans 15:25-26)

“We need to have our lives and relationships reflect the admonition of St. Paul who wrote “you are the people of God . . . so you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.” (Col. 3:12-14). If you come upon someone today without a smile, resolve to give him one of yours…Jesus exemplified through every moment of his life the way each of us should act— with great kindness, gentleness, and thoughtfulness.” (Rev. Andrew Demotses)

“The most difficult people to deal with are often the very people who need our love and kindness the most. Being treated with respect and love, regardless of their behavior, can turn around the angry neighbor or coworker. They are the people who need our prayers. God can change any heart, turning around the lives of the very worst people because of our prayers.” (Abbot Tryphon)

“Sometimes it is easy to get so overwhelmed with all of the problems we see around us that we can slip into a mindset of what can I possibly do to make things better and end up doing nothing at all. I find it is useful when I feel that way to remember that some small act of kindness, no matter what the circumstance, is better than no kindness at all. You never know what the smallest gesture may mean to someone.” (Sacramental Living Blog)

“By showing love through acts of kindness, we can point people toward God…” (Amy Nappa)

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