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Anne DeSantis explores what compassion and kindness have to do with being a good Catholic.

It is Possible to Become More Compassionate?

As Catholics, knowing and passionately practicing our faith is an important aspect of living it out, day by day, and in loving the Lord with all our hearts. Reading and knowing the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Holy Scripture, attending Sunday Mass, and doing our best to be true disciples of the Lord helps us to be authentic Catholics. In addition to these aspects, living virtue and exercising chastity is important. Living out teachings such as Theology of the Body by St. John Paul II helps us to become authentic people of faith.

The list can go on and on in terms of ways we can love God, love neighbor, and become sacrificial persons aimed at becoming saints someday.

With all of this said, does being a compassionate, kind, and nice person have anything really do with being a good Catholic?

Some would argue that in following Jesus, being “nice” and treating people kindly at all times isn’t quite as high up on the list of to-do’s as other aspects of faith. There is more to think about in this realm when it comes to whether being compassionate and kind is of any real importance. In addition, is it possible to learn to become more compassionate?

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We can become kinder and yes, nicer, people, but it takes work and looking at ourselves in changing our unkind behavior. #catholicmom

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How Can We Become Kinder People?

Following the rules of our faith is an integral part of understanding the importance of aiming for Heaven as we live our lives. Part of those rules have to do with how we treat others day in and day out in conversation, interactions, and our relationships. This matters both to people and to God.

If you have ever encountered an unkind or mean-spirited Catholic -- or anyone, for that matter, this certainly is not a selling point for the faith. We can become kinder and yes, nicer people, but it takes work and looking at ourselves in changing our unkind behavior.

This may be challenging to do for most of us, but it begins when we look in the mirror and realize that we may be following most of the “rules” of our faith for the most part but our treatment of people is lacking greatly.

Step one in fixing this problem within ourselves is to recognize the sin in our behavior toward others.

Smiling more often in conversation, answering people kindly, ceasing to judge others, and being nicer is a good start.

The next time you are faced with judgment, unkindness, or simply in realizing you are not a very sincere or kind person, stop yourself and ask for God’s help and guidance. Facing the truth is not easy, but it is the best way to move forward with Christ on the journey toward loving Him and loving other people.


Copyright 2021 Anne DeSantis
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