Holy Spirit of God, help me to do things with gentleness born of wisdom…

Bible 
 
James 3:13-18 & Luke 6:27-38

 
St. James the Greater, who wrote the Epistle included in the New Testament, was the brother of St. John the Divine, and together they were known by Jesus and the other disciples as the Sons of Thunder. This makes James’ counsel all the more poignant, to “show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.”  Wisdom is the gift of the Holy Spirit that becomes increasingly important as we ‘grow up’ in Christ. No baby is born with wisdom.  Rather, wisdom is the sum of experience + reflection + Grace accumulated over time.  It is no wonder then that James pairs wisdom with gentleness. As I reflect on my own life experiences and my reactions to them in the light of God’s Grace, I ultimately lose my proud arrogance and stridently defensive manners. As I realize that by myself I am incapable of finding my way through all the highways and byways of my family, let alone society in general, I recognize that any works I do that are not informed by grace are dead. Works that are born from my own self-centered goals of fear, greed or unchecked desires can lead to untold misery.  Alternatively, the more I wait on the grace-full wisdom of the Holy Spirit of God in processing the meaning of my experiences, the more humble – and the more gentle- I become.  When I approach all events in my life, and the people they involve, with the humility and gentleness born of wisdom, then I am able to faithfully and firmly turn the other cheek, generously give to everyone who begs from me, do good to those who hate me, and pray for those who abuse me. Will I live my life more and more as Jesus lived his own life on earth, with gentleness born of wisdom – especially in the context of my own family?  Holy Spirit of God, help me!  … to do things with gentleness born of wisdom.  
 
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.  (Psalm 19:1)
 
Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do…but how much love we put in that action. St. Teresa of Kalcutta
 
 
Soli ad gloriam
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