Listening, Speaking, and Living Kindness: Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

"Listen to my voice… Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." Jer 7:23

Jeremiah was a prophet with a troubled heart. It was not a role which he wanted, in fact he was reluctant and afraid. But keeping silent about God’s truth made him feel as though fire was shut up in his bones (Jer 20:9). If he held it in, it consumed him. If he spoke, he faced rejection. But despite the struggle, he remained faithful to God’s call.

Maybe some of us can relate to this inner conflict. We sense God calling us to live our faith more visibly, to share our beliefs and let them shape our actions. But, we hesitate. What will others think? Will we be misunderstood?

Our spirituality, if kept entirely private, does not help us, nor does it help others. Our faith calls us to step beyond ourselves and reflect Jesus' presence in the world. One way we can do this is through kindness. Kindness is not weakness; it is a deep expression of faith. It is choosing to walk in God’s ways, as Jeremiah urges.

With Christ or Against Him?

The Gospel reading for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent (Luke 11:14-23) strengthens this reflection. Jesus casts out a demon, but instead of rejoicing, some accuse him of working with the devil. He responds with a challenge:

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11:23)

These words remind us that faith is not passive. There is no middle ground in discipleship, no either/or: we are either with Christ, living out his teachings, or against him, by remaining silent or indifferent.

Kindness is one of the ways we choose to be with Jesus. It is a way of gathering instead of scattering, of building up instead of tearing down. When we act in kindness, we align ourselves with God’s kingdom and proclaim, even without words, that we stand with Christ.

A Challenge for Today

To listen to God's voice is to let it move us into action. Today, we might ask ourselves:

How can I show kindness today?
Am I hiding my faith out of fear?
How can I share my faith to uplift others?

True kindness is not just about being "nice". True kindness is about reflecting God’s love through our words and actions. It is about choosing to live differently in a world that often values self-interest over compassion. When we choose kindness, we are not just being "good people", we are living examples of the God who is love.

May our kindness today be a silent but powerful testimony to God who calls us to walk in his ways.