Putting On the Virtue of Gentleness
December 7, 2022

St. Vincent is convinced that warmth and approachability are especially necessary in those who hold important positions in the Church: You can see by experience that an amiable way wins hearts and attracts them; on the other hand, it has been noted in regard to persons of rank who hold office that, when they are too serious and cold, everyone fears and shuns them. Since we must work with poor country people, candidates for orders, people on retreat, and all sorts of others, it will not be possible for us to produce fruit, if we are like parched land that bears only thistles.¹

¹CCD XII, 189.

Source: Fr. Robert P. Maloney, C.M. A Further Look at “Gentleness”

Let us pray

Lord, may we be warm and approachable with those whom we encounter; make us fruitful so that all our words and our activities will glorify You.

Scripture

“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey…’”

Matthew 21:5