My Thoughts

Kindness. Kind … ness. Kindness is described as an act of generosity, consideration, or concern for others, without having an expectation of praise or reward. Aquinas says, “The greatest kindness one can render to any man consists in leading him from error to truth.” But then, that always seems to beg the question, “What is truth?”

These days, truth is relative, it is solely what one claims of it and that is the truth! Relative truth is, of obvious necessity, free from error; the error lies with anyone who does not fully subscribe to a peculiar version of it. That, of course, is where relative truth falls short, for it may be truth or, as is commonly the case, it may lie far afield. The world is full of those who know the truth, absolutely, completely, without question and absolutely nothing—most certainly, facts—will dissuade of that which is so firmly cemented. For those so certain of their truth, any attempt to lead them from error to truth is but an oxymoronic exercise in futility which means there can be no kindness rendered.

But then, there are those who believe kindness is next to Godliness and the closer to Godliness one attains, the more of His kindness will be extended to them. Assuming this to be true, then should not the converse be truer yet? Christ said, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness,” “Blessed are the merciful,” “Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness sake,” “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” All these are forms of kindness, acts done without expectation of praise or reward.

And yet, the beatitudes, isolated from the fullness of Jesus Christ, fully human, fully divine, make him a mere one-dimensional cutout, less human, absent the divine. To fully appreciate the fullness of Christ, one in being with the Father, we must accept the whole person, the whole history, the entirety of Christ’s being, not just the gentle and kind but the anger and confrontational as well.

A relative recently took umbrage at a bit of sarcasm I employed in a brief critique of the latest extension of the “pause” issued by the Governor of Nevada, Stephen F. Sisolak whom I referred to as Govanator Spastic Sizzlesplat. She said, “I guess I’ll never understand how someone who is supposed to be Godly can do so much name-calling. Kindness is important.” I can only think to suggest that perhaps she should spend more time with the four writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I am especially drawn to Matthew’s recount of Jesus’ kind assessment of the scribes and Pharisees.

You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechari’ah the son of Barachi’ah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar (Mt 23:33-36).

Admittedly, I have absolutely no appreciation for the governor or his sycophantic democratic legislature, which is even more reason for my thorough enjoyment at skewering his name since he has no problems skewering the citizens of this fair state. I can only wonder if, instead of skewering the governor’s name, I had simply called him a serpent among a brood of vipers, would that have been Godlier?

Wake up America.

Just my thoughts for a Monday for what it is worth.

Check me out on Parler @ChuckLanham #dadeacon #wakeupamerica