Be Kind, Be safe, Be respectful, Be responsible, Be resilient, Be ready

Dear Parents and carers,

In her book, The Black Dress, Pamela Freeman has this rather delightful image to put into our minds: “Poor little sad soul! Sister Aloysius sent him to me that first week. I was standing in the playground, looking down at the mangroves and the bay, relishing the fresh salt air. Mick, his name was, came sidling up to me reluctantly, eyes down, terror in every movement.

‘Sister says I have to tell you,’ he said in a quavering voice.

He gulped. ‘I stole a bun in the kitchen.’

God love him! I almost laughed. But I put my arm around him. ‘Were you hungry?’

He nodded. He was twisting his hands together in a combination of misery and fright. That movement alone told of months of abuse and fear.

‘Well, you go back to Sister and tell her I said to give you another bun.’

His head came up, astonished, and he met my eyes for the first time. I smiled. He grinned and hugged me hard and raced off to Sister Aloysius, leaping as he went. Then, I did laugh.”

Mary Mackillop’s action towards little Mick was one of total kindness. A century later, Mother Teresa made a statement so relevant to Mary Mackillop’s action when she said, “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness, kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

The Roman Emperor, Julian, (355-363) tried desperately to limit the influence of growing numbers of Christians but reluctantly, made this observation about them: “As children are coaxed with cake, so have these Christians enticed the poor to join them by their kindness. Strangers they have secured by hospitality. By brotherly love they have won the multitude.”

John Abbott. The History of Christianity.

If we are to take too much notice of the sensational side of media reporting, we might begin to doubt our personal safety in a ruthless society where kindness is, seemingly, becoming such a rare commodity. Perhaps media reports could include a few words from St Paul such as, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another.”Eph. 4:31,32.

As parents, we all know how self-absorbed young people can be. It’s part of their development, discovering their own identity and deciding who they want to be. They will need strong parent models from whom they can learn by observation and influence that they need to be more aware of other family members and their needs, their feelings and their concerns. They will need to be led from self-absorption to sensitivity of others, so that kindness becomes part of their nature as they mature towards adulthood. Here’s a thought to keep at the back of your mind: “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”

Author Unknown.

Keep smiling

Cathy

*Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop's feast Day is on Thursday 8th August.

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