Another part of 'in-forming surrender.'
Paul bears this out for us in his letter to the church in Philippi, especially in 4:4-7. Like Isaiah's, Paul's vision of the world is not born out of naivete or lack of contact with the shadow side of human life. Paul wrote this letter from prison. And Paul was someone who had known fear and loathing. He had at one time built his life around hate. Paul was a man transformed by the compassion and love of Christ. In this letter to a church he loved he wants to extend this disposition of "gentleness," which is how the NRSV and NIV translate epieikes (4:5). It is really much more than gentleness; the term suggests generosity toward others. Other translations use works like 'forbearance' or 'moderation.' This gentleness is intimately entwined with compassion. This mode of operation does not just tolerate other people; it is intentional in its generosity toward others. This disposition is not a "live and let live" libertarianism; it is a committed involvement with people. It is the willingness to bear the differences of limitations of another. This disposition is patient and merciful; it is not anxious or harsh. This, according to Paul is that for which followers of Christ should be known.
This 'gentleness' sure has a feeling of being pulled into the mix of things. Nothing is avoided. Rather, we extend ourselves out to those we may not usually give ourselves. It also brings back that image that we are the ones who bridge the gap. We do not wait for the other to come to us for the healing of the world. We go out and we step across the divide or jump right into it with the hope that there will be healing as we enter into the divide for the welfare of others. Gentleness is not a 'soft' word. It is a courageous word. Martin Luther King, Jr. walked into the day with a gentleness that overturned the status quo. Whoa! The same can be send of Gandhi and the whole gentle engagement with the British. In these cases we saw the amazing power of patience and the wild incarnation of mercy that is extended to enemies as much as it would be to friends. Simply amazing.
Connection: Where within this day will this kind of gentleness help to create a better day for each of us and those we encounter?
You, O God, empower us to let go and listen to your word. Give us eyes to see those around us as your beloved so that we will treat them as just such people. Amen.
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