As a child, growing up being “simple” was neither a compliment nor a goal. It was, admittedly, a “nice” way to say that one wasn’t very bright. Isn’t it interesting that being simple in the Christian life is both goal and virtue? Simple means, simply, uncomplicated. Scholars tell us that a key verse to understand Christian simplicity is Jesus’ word to us in Matthew 6:22. Though often translated as “sound” or “healthy,” more literally the passage is: “if your eye is simple (Greek haplous) your whole body will be filled with light!”

If your eye has one vision, looking toward God, you will be simple. You will have one mind, one goal, one direction. It is “the double-minded” who are torn in their direction and unstable (James 1:8). Contrast doublemindedness with Jesus’ summation of the whole law and prophets: “love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbour as yourself.” See the radical simplicity in his teaching? One focus. All our faculties integrated, harmonized, directed toward the love of God in neighbour. The heart and soul that is simple like this is filled with light, pure. It is along these lines of insight that led the great Danish Lutheran philosopher Soren Kierkegaard to define purity of heart as “to will one thing.” Uncomplicated.

Lent is a season, a gift to us from the Church to allow us time and foster intent to consider our heart health. Are our hearts restive, torn in different directions, tossed about? Lent is a season to sink more deeply into our hearts, to hear God’s calling, to hear God’s affirmation, to find rest in the Kingdom of God that is within. Simplicity.

The journey within has a distinct and immediate connection to the world around us.

As inward love of God flows outward in love of neighbour, inward simplicity of heart shapes our relation to the world. Growing in simplicity of heart, we can grow in simplicity of living – simplicity of dress, food, possessions.

I realize how discordant this sounds to our consumerist ears and hearts: so heavy, so daunting, so holy – wholly impossible! But it is a path to freedom. “Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free,” wrote the Shaker songwriter Joseph Brackett. Simplicity is also an expression of creation-informed, Christ-centred discipleship. Living more simply is an enactment of our baptismal covenant to safeguard, respect, sustain and renew God’s creation. Desiring to serve our Creator, living more simply softens our environmental footprint and contributes to environmental justice. Consuming less reduces waste, consuming mindfully supports sustainable manufacturing.

Simplicity is simple, but it isn’t easy. I think it is best considered the goal in life, a process of transformation rather than a feat to be accomplished. How might we declutter our hearts and lives this Lent?

It is said that a sensitive soul asked a Rabbi, “How can I possibly keep the 613 laws?” Thinking quietly, the Rabbi replied, “Pick one, and get started.” Amen.

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Do you have a tree story? Perhaps a favourite tree from your childhood home or at the cottage? Maybe you’ve seen the mighty coastal redwoods of British Columbia or stood among the old-growth pines of Temagami and experienced awe. Something in us wants to preserve and protect these trees, to build and nourish our forests. Listening to this desire, the Anglican Communion is writing a new story in our relationship with trees.

Building on previous creation care work, the 2022 Lambeth Conference launched the Communion Forest. This is a worldwide initiative “to join together in tree growing and ecosystem conservation, protection and restoration throughout the world.” It is a thoughtful response to our Communion’s fifth mark of mission: “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the Earth.” When you think about it, isn’t this one of our deep desires? Don’t we want to pass on a beautiful planet to those who follow us, for generations to come?

This is the desire of the church in Uganda as it works on tree-planting and making churches plastic-free. It is the desire of the church in Ethiopia as it works on reforestation and soil conservation. It is the desire of the church in Kenya as it works with partners to sequester carbon through tree-planting. It is the desire of the Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Espiuca, an Anglican priest and environmental and human rights lawyer from Brazil who, with support from Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF), has been appointed facilitator in the Americas for the Communion Forest initiative.

If you share the desire to safeguard the integrity of the Earth, the members of the Bishop’s Committee on Creation Care echo and amplify Bishop Andrew and Mary Asbil’s invitation to join in. We are launching the Communion Forest initiative in our diocese this September as part of the Season of Creation. We may not be able to grow a new forest, but there are so many ways to get involved:

• Grow a tree to mark an important occasion.
• Work with the cemetery committee to increase the tree canopy.
• Create a small pollinator garden at your church.
• Partner with others on a local conservation project.
• Increase awareness by holding hiking church.
• Advocate for habitat conservation in your area.

The Season of Creation will kick off on Sept. 1 with a new blessing: this year, General Synod adopted the Feast of the Creator as a major feast in our liturgical calendar. This celebration is in line with our call to be good stewards of what our Creator has provided.

To learn more about creation care and the Communion Forest, visit www.toronto.anglican.ca/creationcare. You’ll find a plethora of resources to support you and your community on the disciple’s path of creation care. The very trees themselves may “clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12) at our efforts.

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