The life giving power of gentleness

Philippians 2: 5-8

⁵Let the same mind be in you that was^* in Christ Jesus,
⁶ who, though he was in the form of God,
   did not regard equality with God
   as something to be exploited,
⁷ but emptied himself,
   taking the form of a slave,
   being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
⁸   he humbled himself
   and became obedient to the point of death—
   even death on a cross.

The apostle Paul reveals to us how the early believers and community of disciples understood the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a story that began before time and will continue after time. It is a story of compassion, love and mercy.  The story of Jesus is a story that demonstrates that it is humility and peace-making; self-sacrifice and generosity that changes things. Here we see Jesus portrayed as the One who changes everything but does so not by exercising the destructive power to get your own way by any means possible; Jesus changes things through love. If we are to change ourselves and our communities it will be through nonviolence, compassion and gentleness.  These are the elements of a sound mind, a healthy mind and of a healthy collective consciousness: value nonviolence, have an attitude of compassion and believe in the life giving power of gentleness. Is this how the story of Jesus Christ is taught today? Are we faithfully living out our part of the authentic story of Jesus?