'The Path to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions'

Nowadays it doesn't seem like it takes much to offend others. From something as simple as mispronouncing their child's name wrong, to something more important such as a hard stance on a political view. When the "Pay it Forward" movement became more popular in recent years, it gave an opportunity to have a positive impact on someone's day, albeit sometimes anonymously. This gave a chance to interact with a stranger with minimal chance of causing offense. However, it makes me wonder: how accountable are we for the emotional responses of others? If we act with the intention to be kind, but the person is offended, would that be considered a sin on our part?

I read a reflection this past December about St. Veronica written by Meg Hunter-Kilmer that has stayed with me. To preface, in case you don't know, St. Veronica is the woman who stood on the side of the road and wiped Jesus' face with a cloth as he carried his cross to Golgotha. Meg H.K. offered, "'I wonder if Veronica hurt Jesus when she wiped his face. I wonder if she pressed the thorns deeper into his brow and smeared the blood into his eyes and made his head throb with pain. I wonder if it helped at all. Maybe she only made things worse. Still, it was a beautiful act of kindness, even if it did more harm than good. Her memory is honored in every Church because of the risk she took in trying to help, whether it actually helped or not. And he gave her the image of his face to be handed down through the ages, a gift to the world because of her act of love. He didn't resent her intrusion, even if it only added to his pain; instead he loved her all the more, if such a thing is even possible. I wonder if it might be easier to listen to glib or ignorant or invasive comments if you unite your heart to Jesus' in the 6th Station, as the one who loved him tried to serve him and brought him so much pain.'"

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"I wonder if she pressed the thorns deeper into his brow and smeared the blood into his eyes and made his head throb with pain."

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When I converted Catholic, I repeatedly heard the phrase, "The path to hell is paved with good intentions," and it never sat right with me. It wasn't until I read this reflection that I realized those "intentions" the quote speaks of are those good deeds we intend to do, but never complete. It's the, "I intend to volunteer at a soup kitchen," but never do that this quote is referencing... Not the, "I intended to pour the soup into the homeless man's bowl, but accidentally poured it on his hand."

We can always choose kindness and hold with certainty that the intention behind our action is valued by God. However, be sure to act. James 2:26 tells us that "faith without works is dead." An act of kindness can only be effective if it is actually executed.

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"An act of kindness can only be effective if it is actually executed."

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The quote in question does not read, "The path to hell is paved with good motives." Whatever is motivating our actions matters profoundly, and is the whole reason the Bible reminds us that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7).

With that said, continue onward with friendliness, generosity and consideration. If someone misinterprets your effort, know that the Lord is aware of the authenticity of your heart. Be genuine, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your actions. By doing so, you cannot go wrong.