Before I Forget…
§ Do not conform yourself to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God's will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.
-Romans 12:2
§ God is of no importance unless God is of supreme importance
-Rabbi Abraham Heschel

   The medieval mystic, Meister Eckhardt, who has regained popularity in the past thirty years, said that the spiritual life has more to do with subtraction than addition.  The discipline of simplicity is an act of subtraction.  No discipline is any more counter-cultural in our American society than simplicity.  As the old Shaker hymn teaches us, simplicity is freedom.
  'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
  'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
  And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
  'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
      Contemporary culture doesn't invite Christians to a life of simplicity.  We are bombarded with commercials and advertisements to buy and buy, to live an affluent life.  Yet this obsession for money and possessions runs counter to scripture.  During this season of Lent, maybe we could look at our lifestyles and examine them in the light of scripture.
     Simplicity is first and foremost to seek the Kingdom of God.  Can we say that Rabbi Heschel was right on the "money " when he said" God is of no importance unless God is of Supreme Importance"?  If God, and the reign of God, comes first in our lives, then everything else will fall into proper order.
Do we buy things for their usefulness rather than status?
Do we need to buy designer label clothing?
What are we teaching our children:  status/simplicity?
Do we give "things" away, or do we have too much stuff?
Do we speak in a simple straightforward manner?
Is it possible to enjoy things without owning them? 
(We simply enjoy them for a while.)
Are we addicted to buying?

Do we have to have every new gadget that comes along? This is an American fascination.

Do we really appreciate nature?
Do we know who makes (and how much they are paid) the things we think we need?
There is nothing wrong with possessions, but simplicity puts them in their proper place in the context of the Reign of God.  We shouldn't get legalistic about our possessions, but can we have a joyful lack of concern for things?  The Reign of God doesn't call for us to be poor, but it calls us to voluntarily live a less cluttered life.  Do you agree?
It is said that for most middle and upper class Americans, our checkbooks tell more about us than anything else.  Scripture tells us that our hearts are where our treasure is.  How do we spend our money?  And, how do we use our time?  Do we ask God in prayer, if there are ways to live more simply?  Do we ask for the grace and courage to live simple lives? 
What is really important to you in life?
Clean your house and give away everything you don't need!
Occasionally give away something that is really important to you as a way of learning detachment from possessions!
Learn to window shop without buying anything.
Avoid impulse buying.

Are we simple Christians?  Do we want to be simple Christians?  How do we teach youth the "Art of Simplicity"?

Fr. Bill