Gentleness encourages hearts and makes them more receptive while harsh words only harden hearts.
- St. Jane de Chantal
The Challenge of Gentleness
by Mary Pat Shea Gaffney '54
As a very young child, I remember running around a lot. I am told I walked at eight months and ran soon after. A bit of an exaggeration, I suspect, but I have always had a hard time sitting still. Being small, I was able to run under tables to get away from my Mom or Dad as they tried to catch me. I was, I gather anything but calm and gentle. I do recall my Mom & Dad teaching me my prayers and reminding me that I have a guardian angel who watches over me and often saves me from harm.
So gentleness has been a challenge always. I now find that asking the Holy Spirit to guide me is the only way I can even come close. Just be kind and gentle!
Giving in to the Holy Spirit softens and opens my heart, and I become aware of why I am here on earth and what God wants of me as I journey on. "To love the Lord thy God, with all my heart, with all my soul, and my neighbor as myself."
I find as I grow in years, I don't have the energy I once had and slowing down seems to give me more time to begin my day in prayer in the morning. That simple prayer time changes how my day goes. I literally ask the Lord to hold my hand which seems to keep me from running in the wrong direction.
St. Francis also said: "Never be in a hurry. Do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself."
Even though electronic devices take up time, I do receive two morning emails every day that I treasure, one from Richard Rohr at the Center for Action and Contemplation and another from Father Henri Nouwen, a professor and theologian, which help me focus my heart and mind on God. I also look forward to the Visitation weekly message which does the same, with St. Francis De Sales, allowing me to pray as I go about my daily tasks.
Like everything I do, reading and rereading these meditations allows me to see myself in a different way and that is helpful to me in recognizing who I am. As St. Francis De Sales said, and Sister Berchmans reminds us to "Be who you are and be that well."
Direction of Intention (St. Francis de Sales)
Oh my God, I give you this day.
I offer you now all of the good which I shall do.
I promise to accept for love of you all of the difficulty which I shall meet.
Help me to conduct myself during this day in a manner most pleasing to you.
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Special thanks to Cecilia Kane '16 for the banner photo.