Gentleness

One method of the prayer form that we call “lectio divina” is to find a word or a phrase that really impresses us as we read a passage from the Scriptures and to dwell on that word. As I prayed with the reading from the prophet Isaiah today, the word that impressed me the most was not used in the reading. However, it was implied. 

We read: “Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench.”

As I read this verse, I could only think of the word “gentleness.” Applying that word to the notion of justice may not seem to be a good match. When we want justice, we pursue it vigorously. When the young people spoke at the march to end gun violence on Saturday, most of their words were not spoken with this kind of gentleness. I do not say this to criticize them as they were most eloquent in their speeches.  Yet I could not help but think this morning that God is saying that the Suffering Servant pursues justice with gentleness.

The gift of gentleness is often an adjective we apply to mothers. This week is filled with images that are anything but gentle. However, this Monday we hear of our gentle God as we hear the story of Mary’s gentle gesture to Jesus in the Gospel of St. John.

These thoughts led me to these song lyrics: Gentle Shepherd come and lead us, for we need you to help us find our way. Gentle Shepherd come and feed us, for we need your strength from day to day. There's no other we can turn to who can help us face another day.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator