St Francis de Sales said “Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.” Christianly speaking, gentleness has to do with the manner we feel and behave towards each other. Gentleness (or kindness) is all about being humble before God, others and oneself. It is putting others before our selfish selves.
The Bible highly extols the virtue of gentleness. According to St Paul’s letter to the Galatians, gentleness is one of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5, 23). In the Biblical understanding, gentleness restores and creates a healing environment. I am thinking of what St Paul wrote to the Galatians in chapter six when he said: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal 6, 1). Gentleness increases trust in God, others and oneself because it airs a spirit of hospitality, sharing and acceptance. In both of his letters to St Timothy, St Paul urges him to be a gentle bishop (see 1 Tim 6, 11) and to exercise gentleness in his dealings with the people of God, especially when correcting those who fail (see 2 Tim 2, 25). Gentleness is one of the key qualities of a committed husband and wife, respectful children, a Christlike priest. etc.
Gentleness transcends human relations and extends to embrace God’s creation. In a certain sense, gentleness has the ability to keep intact that primordial harmony between animals and the human beings, so characteristic of the first chapter of the book of Genesis. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in number 2416 urges that since God created animals and provides for them, “by their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus (human beings) owe them kindness”. If people do not treat animals with respect, how can they treat each other with kindness? Although it needs to be said that there are those who respect animals but brutally violate other people’s sensitivities.
The Eucharist is the sacrament of gentleness. The Eucharistic Christ imparts on those who open their hearts to his love the assurance that they are never alone because He is with them till the end of time. This silent, profound, accepting and hospitable presence of Jesus instils in the believer the very attitudes of Christ himself, which are eloquently explained in St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4, 32).
Let us let God’s silence teach, fashion and strengthen us in his loving gentleness. As the American Trappist Monk Thomas Merton said: “It is in deep solitude that I find the gentleness with which I can truly love my brothers. The more solitary I am, the more affection I have for them…. Solitude and silence teach me to love my brothers for what they are, not for what they say.”
So, go gently …
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
San Gwann