Saying Yes to Kindness: Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
"Do not be afraid, Mary" Luke 1:30
On this Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent, in the middle of our Lenten journey, we pause to celebrate a great feast: The Annunciation of the Lord. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and greets her with the words:
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28)
Mary is troubled and scared, but the angel reassures her:
"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:30)
Gabriel tells her that she will conceive and bear the Son of the Most High. Even though she does not completely understand, Mary responds with trust:
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)
This moment, the very beginning of our salvation, reminds us that God chooses kindness in reaching out to humanity. He does not impose his will, he invites Mary to freely say yes. Her response is an act of faith, humility, and love, it is a model for our own response to God’s call.
Practicing Kindness
Mary’s response to God’s call can teach us about how we practice kindness in our daily lives.
1. Kindness is an Act of Trust
Mary did not know how everything would unfold, yet she placed her trust in God’s word.
Lenten Impulse:
Kindness is often a leap of faith. We do not always see its effects, but we trust that love has power beyond what we can see. This Lent, say “yes” to kindness, even when it feels unnoticed or unappreciated.
2. Kindness is Active and Outward-Focused
After the Annunciation, Mary immediately goes to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56). She does not keep the joy of God’s promise to herself but shares it through action.
Lenten Impulse:
True kindness is not just a feeling but an action. Let us look outward, finding small ways to bring kindness to others, through words, acts, or simply being present.
3. Kindness Requires Courage and Humility
Mary’s yes was an act of courage. She risked misunderstanding and judgment, but she chose trust over fear.
Lenten Impulse:
Kindness is sometimes difficult. It might mean risking rejection or offering love without expecting anything in return. This Lent, let us try to be brave in our kindness, knowing that even small acts can have great spiritual impact.
A Saint’s Wisdom on Kindness and Trust
St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) was a Polish Franciscan friar, missionary and martyr, known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his selfless act of sacrifice during World War II.
During World War II, Kolbe was imprisoned in Auschwitz for helping Jewish refugees. One day, a prisoner escaped, and as punishment, the Nazis selected ten men to die by starvation. Among them was Franciszek Gajowniczek, a Polish soldier who cried out in despair, fearing for his wife and children.
Seeing his suffering, Maximilian Kolbe offered to take his place. The guards agreed, and Kolbe was sent to the starvation bunker, where he led the other prisoners in prayer, hymns, and words of hope. After two weeks without food or water, Kolbe was the last survivor. He was finally executed by lethal injection on August 14, 1941.
Franciszek Gajowniczek, the man Kolbe saved, survived Auschwitz and lived until 1995. He spent the rest of his life telling Kolbe’s story, never forgetting the one who had given his life for him.
Lenten Reflection
Maximilian Kolbe’s kindness was not easy, it cost him his life.
Franciszek Gajowniczek’s life became a testimony to the power of one act of love.
Like Mary and Maximilian, we are called to say “yes” to kindness, trusting that God will use it in ways we may never fully see.
St. Maximilian Kolbe once said: “Only love creates.”
His words remind us that kindness is not wasted. Kindness builds something greater than we can imagine. Like Mary, let us say yes to kindness, trusting that even the smallest act has eternal value.
A Prayer for This Week
Lord, Like Mary, help me to say “yes” to kindness. May I trust in Your mercy, Serve others with love, And carry Christ’s kindness into the world.
Amen.