Love, Grace, and the Call to Kindness

I sit on a train today in NYC, deeply grieved by the harshness I’ve seen from many Christians on Facebook. As a father of three, I find myself struggling to understand. I’m reminded of a moment not long ago when my family was living in the South. My daughter asked, “Why did she just say, ‘God bless you’? She wasn’t even kind.” Those words stuck with me because kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. When did we lose our ability to bear this fruit?

Bishop Mariann Budde deserves better treatment from the Church community at large. As followers of Christ, we are called to love, extend grace, and approach one another with humility and compassion. When we disagree, let’s do so in a way that reflects the heart of Jesus – seeking understanding, building each other up, and honoring the dignity of every person. Christians on social media should write, comment, and post in ways that model Christ’s love, not in ways that tear others down.

I do not know anyone that knows her personally, but I’ve seen far too many people publicly condemn her, going so far as to declare her unworthy or even damned. Yes, Jesus warned us about wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15), it seems that is what most people are referencing but He also said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

She used her platform to represent the marginalized, and even though it may not have been the most opportune time to share; she did so with love. I respect that and I believe the way we address such differences matters deeply. It is disheartening to see Christians hurling insults, calling someone evil or unworthy of the sacred calling they likely hold dear. This kind of harshness runs counter to the grace and love Christ calls us to embody.

We do not know her heart or her journey, and Scripture is clear: judgment belongs to God alone. Instead, we are called to humility, prayer, and truth. Even in disagreement, we are commanded to love one another and to build one another up in grace. Let us commit to extending the same love and mercy that we ourselves have received. After all, isn’t that exactly what Jesus instructs us to do?