Considering A Life Of Simplicity?

WED EP Reflection 081821 (On Simplicity) Part of my journey into the religious order of the Dominicans or the Order of Preachers, is the vow of simplicity. In the olden days, people would vow to live in poverty and become beggars (mendicants) even if they were from wealthy families. St Francis is in this category. This virtue of simplicity is something the church has not emphasized much. I got to seriously think of how it could affect our modern Christian way of life. I began reading from ancient manuscripts as well as some modern writers who are returning to these ancient ways of living Christian life like Rod Dreher's book "the Benedict Option". I read the apostolic Fathers. It offers a few remarks about simplicity. In the letter of Ignatius to the Romans, he wrote: “Do not give to the world one who wants to belong to God or tempt him with material things…Do not talk about Jesus Christ while you desire the world. Do not let envy dwell among you. My passionate love has been crucified and there is no fire of material longing within me, but only water living and speaking in me, saying within me, “Come to the Father.” I take no pleasure in corruptible food or pleasures of this life. I want the bread of God, which is the flesh of Christ who is the seed of David; and for drink I want his blood, which is incorruptible love. I no longer want to live according to human standards. Pray for me that I may reach the goal. I write to you not according to human perspective bit in accordance with the mind of God.” Others like Bishop Polycarp talk about how the love of money is the beginning of all troubles. I just think simplicity is a virtue that we cannot afford to neglect as Christians. Prov 15: 16 says “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” God calls us to a simple life but the world tempts us with materials things which in turn complicate our lives. We live in a culture that begs us to buy, buy in an effort to make ourselves "better" and does not leave us better off in any real sense—or ultimately satisfied. This is indeed a heresy: the more and the newer things you buy, the happier you will be. The truth is Christ is the only one who can truly satisfy our souls. The rule of St Benedict written in the 5th century continue to confront those who live by it with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its demands, progressing in this way of life in love, hope and faith. One of its tenets says: “to keep death before one’s eyes daily” and also “not to fulfil the desires of the flesh.” If we are conscious of our mortality, we will act more soberly knowing that anytime, we may indeed die, therefore leave all these accumulated things. I am convinced deeply in my heart that this is not solely an ancient issue, but rather an important part of our journey of following Christ. If Christ could be born in a manger yet being divine (royalty), what does this really teach us about simplicity? Let none think that God doesn’t know or care about their situations. A life of simplicity requires us to stay clear of the temptation of greed. From my readings, I learned that we can all be possessed by what we have — or don't have. While Christians should live simply, the focus should not be on getting rid of what we have, but rather upon cultivating the disposition of "a life of joyful unconcern for possessions" (Richard J. Foster). Such a disposition will lead to actions and behaviors of simple living. If one is trying to live out faith in Christ, it is understandable to be on a journey of searching for the truth. St Thomas Aquinas was on such a journey of truth discovery through study and prayer. In the same way, I am convinced that when we are on this truth discovery journey, we learn what the will of God is. If there is anything these ancient mendicant religious orders taught us and our modern Christian living, is that they understood clearly the delimitation of what the Bible calls the world/carnal from what belongs to God/ of the Holy Spirit. These first believers had these virtues of honesty, devotion and fear of God, which in turn produced a deep desire to live a simple life with divine contentment. Did they understand a life of simplicity as part of their journey to holiness? A life that is more focused on the health of their souls as much as they focus on nourishing physical lives. Today, holiness (when it is discussed at all) is often associated with moral behavior such as sexual purity, financial honesty, and commitment to private prayer. Simplicity should be a believer's way of life where all is not about our belongings but rather, where we are opposed to being caught up with today’s consumer culture. As Franciscans say: "It is about the poverty of the self, to see with Christlike eyes on the needs of others. A life of simplicity helps us avoid the “trappings” of our modern life wants versus needs and helps us seek a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying our material needs. We are indeed pilgrims and strangers on the way to our Father."