The Strength of Kindness and Gentleness

What does it mean to have strength in kindness? Or to be gentle towards others?

Imagine being around in the time of Jesus. I wonder what you would have thought of seeing him in action, how he treated people and how he responded to those who didn’t understand his teachings. I wonder how he felt about those who disappointed him and how is friends treated people listening and questioning him.

St Paul gave us an insight into these wonderings. In Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians he noted, “We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” 1 Thessalonians 2:7.

2000 years on, Pope Francis reminds us, as followers of Jesus, of the importance to always treat others with gentleness and respect, as the Holy Spirit does. “The language of Christians who cherish the Holy Spirit, who was given to us as a gift, is special: they don’t have to speak in Latin, no. It’s another language: it’s the language of gentleness and respect.” May 21, 2017.

Our College motto is Strength and Kindness. How can we live out our motto, in the way of Jesus? First, let’s define these attributes. The definition of strength is ‘able to withstand force, pressure, or wear.’ The definition of gentleness is ‘the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered’ and let us add the definition of kindness, ‘the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.’

A strong hand with a gentle touch is kindness. How does this speak to you?

Perhaps it's a sympathetic, compassionate, caring attitude towards the challenges and limits of others or its choosing a gentle response to the difficulties of the day. Being around Jesus, we most certainly would have witnessed him acting upon these attributes. Jesus affirmed his strength, gentleness and kindness in the Gospels; “I am the gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Paul often reminded the early church of Jesus’ gentleness: “By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you” 2 Corinthians 10:1 and “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32.

Unfortunately, some people mistake gentleness for weakness. It is certainly a misconception to suppose that weakness has anything to do with gentleness unless you would label the courageous apostle Paul and compassionate Jesus "weak" humans.

In fact, the opposite is true.

It’s the strong hand, not the weak one, that must learn to be gentle.

And finally, in the words of St Paul, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Philippians 4:5

Bernadette Casey

Faith & Mission

Assistant to the Principal - Faith & Mission

Mr Leo McInerney, our Assistant to the Principal - Faith & Mission, has informed me of his decision to resign from his position at the College. We thank him for his contribution over the 5 years he has been with us. I have advertised the position and I will inform the community of the new appointment for this important role before the end of the year.

Raymond Pisani

Principal

Student Wellbeing (continued)