The Importance of Being Kind

Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses.  ~Proverb

A friend of mine says you can’t fix stupid, and she’s 100 percent right.

But maybe it’s possible to fix pettiness.

Like the other day in church.

A youngster, probably aged eight or nine judging by the fact that I hadn’t seen him as an altar server at this Mass before, was doing his best to light about a dozen candles . . . and having some trouble with it.

You see, the candles were brand new. Very tall, with obviously pristine wicks.

He was using one of those awkward candlelighters, maybe for the first time.

And he was short, as many young boys are, so he couldn’t see the wicks to light them.

Now one of the ushers had volunteered to help, but he obviously believed the best way to help somebody is to let them try for themselves, then step in if needed or requested.

The entire time Altar Server and Usher were on the altar riding the Struggle Bus over the candles, some woman a couple of rows behind me was grousing.

Out loud.

The kid wasn’t doing it right. Wasn’t fast enough. Wasn’t watching to make sure the sleeve of his robe didn’t catch fire. And the Usher wasn’t helping either. Just standing around watching.

I was horrified to realize everybody around her must have heard her complaints.

Eventually, fed up, I whirled around and glared at her. (I know, it wasn’t exactly the Christian thing to do, but I’d had enough of her barbs.)

And miraculously, she quieted down!

This slice of life started me thinking. Catholic Churches aren’t big on bringing guests to Mass — not like our Protestant brethren.

But what if I’d had a guest? Or what if somebody near me had? How embarrassed would we all be with one of our own criticizing a young’un for being small, with a lot yet to learn?

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. ~Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama