Sunday Readings for July 18-19, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission
In one of my previous assignments, each Sunday as I distributed holy Communion, I would notice a lady approaching with a button on her lapel that read, “Be Kind.” This was at the beginning of the kindness movement that has since taken off. Doesn’t it seem odd that we need reminders to be kind? Shouldn’t that simply be how we live our lives, striving to follow Jesus’ commandment to love one another as he has loved us?
Yet almost every day, we witness situations that remind us how much kindness is needed. I was horrified last November when a priest classmate from another diocese died at the young age of 39. He was an activist for immigrants, and some of the comments on social media were less than kind. The one that solidified the daily reminder to be kind was from someone who commented that he deserved to die because of his political advocacy. When I read that comment, my heart was moved with pity for the person who wrote it, and I prayed they would heed Jesus’ commandment to love.
In the recently released Netflix reboot of “Little House on the Prairie,” one scene caught my attention. Two twin girls spread false information about a boy Mary Ingalls had a crush on. Even Laura fell under their influence for a time until a later episode, when she answered their question, “Why haven’t you hung out with us lately?” with, “You were mean to Caleb.” Like these characters, we sometimes lack kindness in our speech, whether directly or indirectly.
CCM artist Jason Gray often shares a quote at his concerts from a Protestant preacher named Ian Maclaren: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” That’s a good reminder, too! The kindness we show another person, friend or stranger, might be exactly what they need in that moment to get them through the day. Your kindness matters.
None of these examples should surprise us. Human nature has always struggled with kindness. That’s why this weekend’s readings speak so clearly. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us, “Those who are just must be kind” (Wis 12:19). The Psalmist reminds us that the Lord is abounding in kindness. Is there any better reason to be kind than to act more like God and be called just? We should desire kindness and make it a way of life.
This week, before we post a comment, speak a criticism, or repeat a rumor, may we first ask ourselves: “Is this kind?” Those who are just must be kind. Be just. Choose kindness.
The readings for Sunday, July 19, are available at Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB.