Help Me to Live Simply

Seeking simplicity is my chosen road to inner peace but simplicity is more than just divesting one's self of material goods.  It's also a way of looking at the world with clarity, sweeping away the confusion that makes everything just too much. It’s the way to see with the innocence of a child, an innocence that resonates with wisdom we all but lose by the time we reach adulthood.  It’s the straight path that cuts through the clutter of life leading us to openness and honesty, to trusting as a child but not with a child’s naiveté. “For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace”. (I Cor. 14:33)

Simplicity of heart is needed to hear God's words with clarity and for receiving it most fully.  To hear clearly, one needs to successfully resist cunning thoughts, be able to recognize duplicity, be direct, not evasive, and not resort to schemes and scams. Hidden thoughts that do not reflect outward actions may be hidden from the world but not from God.  (Job 34:22)  Simplicity of the heart leads us to wisdom and the grace of knowing our purpose, our reason for existing.  This wisdom and grace allows us to understand that a simple yes or no will often be all that is needed when a question is asked

With simplicity, you have directness of communication, dignity, wisdom, and grace.  You are accessible to others.  Friendship is available.  Respect flourishes and sincerity shines through. With simplicity, you cannot despise, cannot reject, and cannot be close-hearted.  Simplicity isn't vain, nor is it false.

PRAYER

Dear Father,

Help me to be simple.  Help me to be clear in thought and avoid complicated words and deeds that only sow confusion. Father, thank you for the example of Pope Francis who lives simply and speaks with unvarnished clarity and directness.   Save us from those who would re-interpret his words, who do not truly hear what he says to us, but filter it through their own confused and complication-ridden "understanding".  Help me to be a living, breathing example of your blessed servant, St. Pope John XXIII, his goodness, his spirit, and his prayerfulness.

I ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother, Mary.

Amen.