Find simplicity through God's grace

November 5, 2006 -- 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What is your understanding of simplicity? 2. Who are the models of simplicity in your life? 3. How is simplicity related to holy obedience?

Some years ago I read Loren Eiseley's autobiographical piece All the Strange Hours wherein he commented: "I don't believe in simplicity." Beyond doubt, our existence is complex and often convoluted. Our social and political lives are complex; our economic and cultural lives are complex; our psychological and spiritual lives are complex. Is simplicity possible in such a world?

In other words, is there one thing that is necessary that puts everything else in perspective? God's word for this Sunday maintains that love is the principle of simplicity that unifies our lives and offers us the grace of peace.

In the book of Deuteronomy, we hear Moses proclaim: ". . . you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." Here is the governing rule that offers meaning. The same message is repeated in the Gospel when Jesus responds to the scribes: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. More, love your neighbor as yourself. Love it is that gives us the key to simplicity.

Back in 1981, Richard J. Foster wrote a compelling little book entitled Freedom of Simplicity. While not denying the complexity of human existence, he still maintained that simplicity is both desirable and possible through God's grace. Here is his argument: "There are not many things we have to keep in mind - in fact, only one: to be attentive to the voice of the true Shepherd. There are not many decisions we have to make - in fact, only one: to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. There are not many tasks we have to do - in fact, only one: to obey Him in all things" (234).

Attention! God is constantly speaking to us in scripture and our tradition, in our daily experiences and the inward stirrings. Are we aware of these movements and whisperings? Attention deficit is a major problem in every age, especially in one that is inundated with so many stimuli as in our contemporary culture.

Seeking! Jesus came to establish the Kingdom of His Father. At this very moment, as we are reminded in the book of Hebrews, Christ intercedes for us so that we seek in the right direction and refuse to march down dead-end roads.

Obedience! Mary, our Blessed Mother, is the paradigm of one who listened and responded to whatever God asked of her. Everything else was secondary. Mary was single-minded and her vision was set on God's will. Her "yes" in the midst of fear and ignorance provides us with one of the greatest examples of simplicity.

At the end of his book, Freedom of Simplicity, Foster gives us his concluding reflection on the virtue of simplicity: "This is why the inward reality of holy obedience to the divine Center is so central to everything about simplicity. Without that we will become frustrated and stymied by the complexity of it all. With it life is ordered and filled with peace. The only thing we have to do is be, at every moment, attentive to the heavenly Monitor. And as we are, there come welling up whispers of Divine guidance and love that make life radiant" (234).

Raissa Maritain, the wife of the famous philosopher, Jacques Maritain, got it right: "You lack simplicity when you are far from God." It is nearness to the heart of Christ that enables us to live a life of graced simplicity.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)