Embrace simplicity this Lent

At one of the fall meetings of the Bishop’s Committee on Creation Care, we discussed how we might connect our Lenten disciplines with our concern for creation care. We decided to consider the role of voluntary simplicity as a response to conspicuous consumption and environmental degradation.

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.