Gentleness

Jesus said: Learn from me because I am gentle and humble in spirit. Matthew 11: 29

Aidan, the apostle of the English, was a gentleman.

When Oswald came to the throne of Northumbria he sent to the Irish leaders at Iona and asked them to send him a leader, by whose teaching his people might learn the lessons of faith in the Lord and receive the sacraments.
He obtained his request without delay, and was sent Bishop Aidan, a man of great gentleness …
Bede

When Paul listed gentleness as one of the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galations 5.23) he used the Greek word praotes. This word overflows with meanings; it is far removed from some current images of gentleness as unreasonable sweetness, powerless passivity, or timidity. Plato considered gentleness to be “the cement of society”. Aristotle defined it as the mean between being too angry and never becoming angry; the gentle person expresses anger for the right reason and duration and in the right way. It is the characteristic needed when exercising discipline (Galations 6.1), facing opposition (2 Timothy 2.25), and opening ourselves to hearing God’s Word without pride (James 1.21).

This is the most important part of the rule;
love Christ, hate wealth;
Devotion to the King of the sun
and kindness to people.
If anybody enters the path of repentance
It is sufficient to advance step by step.
Do not wish to be like a charioteer.
From the Rule of St. Comgall

Gentle Christ,
may I see you more clearly
love you more dearly
and follow you more nearly
day by day.
After St Richard of Chichester