Kindness combines several other virtues, including gentleness, humility, and forgiveness. A couple who are kind to one another are thoughtful and considerate in their interactions with each other, not letting the frustrations of daily life take a toll on their relationship. St. Paul writes, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
When you’re both having a good day, it’s easy to be kind to one another. The true test of kindness is when one of you is irritable or upset and impatient. It’s natural to resent your spouse’s behavior, and to rise above that resentment requires help from God. If you react in the same manner, both of you will be unhappy, but if you react with gentleness, humility, and forgiveness, your spouse’s mood is likely to improve. This is true Christian love, to help your spouse rise above human failings.
Basil the Elder was a virtuous Christian man, raising, with his wife, Emmelia, nine children. During their marriage, they formed their children in Christian piety. After Basil the Elder died, Emmelia lived with her daughter, Macrina the Younger, and devoted her life to Christ. Basil and Emmelia gave such a good example of virtue to their children that, not only did they become canonized saints, but four of their children did as well: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Macrina the Younger, and St. Peter of Sebaste.
Dear Holy Spirit, through the intercession of St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia, please grant to (names) an increase in the virtue of kindness. Help them to follow the example of St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia in their daily lives, showing their children such a strong Christian witness that they became canonized saints, themselves. Help them to grow in virtue until their love is as close as humanly possible to Your love for them. Let this love for each other expand to include all those around them, especially those in their care. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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