You Can Never Go Wrong With Kindness

Reflection Date: June 15, 2026 | Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: 1 Kings 21:1-16; Matthew 5:38-42

Children of God:
One of the good movies I watched as a young man was Les Misérables. 

The story followed Jean Valjean, a poor man who spent nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his hungry family. 

After his release, society continued to reject him because he carried the label of a criminal. 

Nobody wanted to help him, trust him, or even welcome him into their homes. 

One night, a kind bishop allowed Valjean to stay in his house and treated him with dignity. 

But during the night, Valjean stole the bishop’s silver and ran away. 

When the police captured him and brought him back, the bishop shocked everyone by telling the authorities that the silver was a gift. 

He even added two precious silver candlesticks and told Valjean never to forget that he now belonged to God. 

The bishop understood that Valjean became hardened because of an unforgiving society that crushed his dignity for many years. 

Instead of answering evil with punishment, the bishop answered with mercy, and that single act changed Valjean’s entire life forever.

In the gospel story of Matthew, Jesus taught His disciples a shocking lesson about mercy and nonviolence. 

He said, “Offer no resistance to one who is evil” (Matthew 5:39). 

Jesus also spoke about turning the other cheek, giving more than what is demanded, and going the extra mile. 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, mercy possesses the power to heal hearts more deeply than revenge ever can.

Let us go back to Les Miserables. 

Jean Valjean carried bitterness, anger, and shame because society treated him as hopeless. 

Nineteen years in prison did not make him a better man. 

Rejection only deepened his wounds. 

Yet the mercy of the bishop touched something inside him that punishment never reached. 

One act of kindness slowly transformed him into a man of compassion and integrity.

In the gospel, Jesus challenged people not to respond to evil with more evil. 

Christ understood that hatred often multiplies hatred. 

Revenge may satisfy emotions for a moment, but it rarely heals relationships or changes hearts. 

Mercy, however, opens the possibility for conversion and healing.

Many people today silently carry emotional wounds because they experienced rejection, judgment, or harsh treatment. 

Some people become cold because life treated them unfairly. 

The gospel reminds us that kindness can become the turning point in someone’s life. 

A forgiving word, a patient response, or a compassionate gesture can help restore dignity to a hurting person.

Mercy possesses the power to heal hearts more deeply than revenge ever can.

Second, generosity reflects the heart of God.

Jesus encouraged His followers to go beyond what is merely required. 

Christian love is not limited to minimum obligations. 

It stretches toward compassion, understanding, and sacrifice.

In daily life, generosity may appear in simple ways. 

Some people give time to listen to someone lonely. 

Others offer forgiveness instead of revenge. 

Some help quietly without expecting recognition. 

Every act of sincere generosity reflects the goodness of God who continues loving people despite their weaknesses and failures.

Generosity reflects the heart of God.

As we reflect today, do I allow bitterness to control my heart or do I choose mercy? 

How do I respond to people who hurt or disappoint me? Am I willing to become an instrument of compassion that can help change another person’s life?

Children of God: 
The gospel today reminds us that mercy remains one of the strongest forces in the world. 

Jesus showed this kind of mercy throughout His ministry. 

Many wounded people today continue searching for understanding and hope. 

Sometimes one kind act becomes enough to save a struggling heart from despair. 

May we become people who choose mercy even when it feels difficult and costly.