Gentle Is the Way of Jesus

a hymn about non-violence

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Shirley Erena Murray
Tune Name: ISLAND BAY

Lyrics as Poetry

Gentle is the way of Jesus:
gentle is the healing soul
bandaging the wounds of conflict,
making peace, and making whole;gentle is the loving purpose
calling us to live this part,
by the chemistry of kindness
changing our ungentle heart.Inner violence besets us,
inner sickness, born of strife:
lost, our innocence as children,
lost, the focus of our life,hungry in a world of plenty,
thirsty in the showering rain,
searching for a sense of meaning,
seeking soul-food to sustain.Save us God, from what consumes us,
save us from the selves we hate,
bring us back into your household,
to the home you would create;stir in us the daily graces
that allow your way to start,
keeping company with Jesus,
changing our ungentle heart.

Words by
Shirley Erena MurrayCopyright © 2002 by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA

Comments About Song

Comment by
SHIRLEY ERENA MURRAY
from her book
“Faith Makes the Song” (#12):

“A hymn about non-violence, originally written to a tune sent to me by Jillian Bray. The hymn appears in a collection to support the World Council of Churches’ decade to Overcome Violence, called, ‘He Came Singing Peace’ (New Zealand Hymnbook Trust 2002).”

Faith Makes the Song
is published by:Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, IL USA

                                                    Audio Sample

"GENTLE IS THE WAY OF JESUS"
Verses 1 & 4 played on piano

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Gentleness, Gently
  • Heal, Healing
  • Jesus∶ gentleness
  • Kindness
  • Peace
  • Wholeness

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