Thursday, November 27
Thanksgiving Day
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.
“… 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. …”
Goodness knows, we could use a little gentleness in our society. It seems, over the past decade or so, that the rhetoric coming from the media, politicians, pundits, and the internet has become increasingly harsh and hateful. Rather than civility and courtesy, we seemed to have devolved into acrimony and name-calling. Far from being gentle with one another, we have taken on the mantle of hostility and brutality.
Paul calls the faithful to follow in another direction. In addition to thanksgiving and rejoicing, he implores gentleness. Born of a recognition that the other person, no matter where they come from, what language they speak, what customs they practice, or which god they worship, is a child of God breeds compassion, care, and respect. Gentleness naturally follows.
After all, working out of love, one cannot treat another person harshly or discourteously. Seeing another as one who had been created in the image of God fosters grace, kindness, patience, and congeniality. More than simply courtesy, it comes from the knowledge that they too are human and should be treated humanely.
Gentleness does not mean being “walked over” or “treated disrespectfully”. Instead, following the way of Jesus, it is reminder that the other person is loved by God just as you are; and when you treat them harshly, you are doing so to the Lord himself.
Prayer: Gentle Lord, you have shown us the way to peace and harmony. Inspire me this day to cast of the mantle of hostility and acrimony and take on the yoke of patience, love, and thanksgiving that I may be gentle with others as well as myself. Amen.