“In yesterday’s post we pondered that being holy is more than being nice. Today we do well to ponder that that being loving is not the same as being kind.
“Here too we live in a reductionist culture that has tended to reduce love to kindness. The results are often quite problematic as we shall see.
“Kindness is a very great thing and has an important place in our relationships. Kindness is evidenced by goodness and charitable behavior, a pleasantness, tenderness and concern for others. According to Aristotle, kindness is an emotion manifesting itself by the desire to help somebody in need, without expecting anything in return. . . .
“Kindness is a very great attribute and it surely has its place. But we must carefully distinguish it from love. Exalting kindness over love amounts to a denial of the wisdom of the Cross. Kindness focuses on comfort and alleviating suffering and this is a very great thing. But love is greater thing for it focuses on healing, and it wills what is best, not what is merely desired.”
In a commentary we posted yesterday, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on holiness vis-à-vis being nice. In a post on the next day, he reflected on the place for kindness vis-à-vis the place for love.
To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:
Msgr. Charles Pope: Kindess is not the same as Love. (16 OCT 13)
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