On this Rejoice Sunday, the word that jumps out in the scriptures is the word “kindness.” Paul writes the Philippians, “Your kindness should be known to all.” The kindness of God to Israel is expressed in the reading from the prophet Zephaniah, “The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.” John the Baptist is exhorting his followers to act kindly toward one another, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” The readings exude the generosity and kindness of God to not just the Jewish people, or the Christian community, but to all the world.
The common responsorial psalm for Advent (a common responsorial psalm is one that can be used for all Sundays of a liturgical season), is Psalm 85. The response to that psalm is “Lord, let us see your kindness.” The psalm text speaks of God’s everlasting love. God’s peace and salvation is offered to all people. In God,love and faithfulness meet, justice and peace shall kiss. In spite of Israel’s many sins and betrayals of God, God’s love for Israel remains steadfast andf aithful. Kindness is the quality which flows from the faithful love of God.
Tragically, kindness that has been sorely lacking in humanity from the moment of creation.We have specialized in cruelty and harm toward others. Violence and hatred are qualities in which humanity excels, not kindness and love. Yet, if we are to achieve the fullness of our humanity, to be human as God intended humanity to be at Creation, it is God’s kindness and love in which we must wrap ourselves.If we act in kindness toward one another, there will be no conflict, no hunger,no violence, no war. All people would be cared for and loved.
This Rejoice Sunday spreads before us the abundant hope that humanity will be healed of its brokenness and sin, and be restored to full human nature. May our lives be an expression of the outpouring of God’s love, kindness and peace in our world, in which love and faithfulness will meet, and justice and peace will kiss.
