Daily reflection _ be kind to someone

BE KIND TO SOMEONE
God is different than us because He sees the whole picture in a unique light. He views human activity as a loving Father Who is eager to have all His children return to Him no matter what they have done.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Ahab was an evil King and he was exceeded in his bad doings by his pagan wife, Jezebel. In fact, the name "Jezebel" has entered our language to refer to "a wicked or bold woman." Ahab, not satisfied with all he possessed as King, wanted the vineyard, which belonged to Naboth. When Naboth, fully within his rights refused to sell it, Ahab apparently was willing to back off, but not Jezebel. She perpetrated the terrible murder of Naboth and told her husband that he could take the vineyard without even paying for it.
People like Ahab and Jezebel arouse our wrath. When we hear in the news about terrible crimes such as the hideous rape and murder of a little child, or the drug dealers that we hear about everyday, we wish that God would follow the old way of "an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth." Tomorrow's reading will show us how God relented in the punishment due Ahab because he repented. There is a temptation for us not to go along with that kind of mercy. But Jesus came to reveal that God does not will the death of the sinner, but that he repent and be saved. I only wish our media would feel that way!
In today's Gospel, when Jesus spoke about God's Law, He did something no one had done before. He gave a new standard based not just on the requirements of righteousness (i.e. giving each what is due), but based on the law of grace and love. Jesus knew the law of the world, "If injury ensues, you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe" (Ex. 21:23-25). Such a law today seems cruel and unjust, but it was meant to limit vengeance as a first step towards mercy.
The Scriptures are full of references commanding us to be a merciful people. In the Book of Leviticus, we read, "You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord" (Lev. 19:18). Matthew's Gospel also tells us to "give to the one who asks of you" (Mt. 5:42). Jesus has done something remarkable and unheard of; He transforms the law of mercy with grace and loving kindness. Jesus also makes clear that there is no room for retaliation. We must not only avoid returning what is bad for bad, but we must seek the good of those who wish us ill. Do we accept insults as Jesus did, with no resentment or malice? When we are compelled by others to do more than we think we deserve, do we insist on our rights or do we respond with grace and cheerfulness? Tough stuff to think about!
God is different than us because He sees the whole picture in a unique light. He views human activity as a loving Father Who is eager to have all His children return to Him no matter what they have done. It is not that God fails to give justice. He is just, but His sense of justice is entirely different from our world.
Mark Twain made this remark and I think it is fitting for today's reflection: "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
May we pray that those who do bad things will repent and return to the Lord, our Savior!