On Simplicity

Simplicity can be, well, somewhat complex.

We read in the Gospel of Matthew that following his baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert “to be tempted by the devil.” Following a lengthy period of fasting he became hungry. At that point he was tempted to turn some stones into bread so that he could eat and become satisfied. Jesus refused (even though it was well within his power), responding that, “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:1-4)

Like the Hebrews who were led into the desert during the Exodus from Egypt, Jesus’ desert experience was used to test him “in order to know what was in your heart.” It was a type of forging, a refining of character to prepare him for his ministry. Jesus’ experience in the desert mirrored that of the ancient Hebrews (Deut. 8:2-3).

Certainly, the life of Jesus has much to teach anyone who is willing to receive its wealth. But what might this episode in the desert teach us about simplicity? It seems we need to have a working definition of ‘simplicity.’ What does it mean to live a simple life? Does it mean living a life on progressively fewer and fewer things, to the point that it is indistinguishable from poverty? Is a vow of poverty an extreme form of simplicity?

Although related, poverty and simplicity are not the same thing. The wisdom of Proverbs provides us with a good starting point for this discussion: “Two things I ask of You, O Lord: do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7-9)

What we glean from this is an upper limit guideline and a lower limit guideline when it comes to meeting our everyday needs. The road we take between them is one of appropriateness to our true needs. Too little or too much are both dangers to our body and soul. So, it seems that these limits form a solid standard upon which to build a life of simplicity.

This is further reinforced by the words Our Lord taught us in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11) The ‘bread’ Christ speaks of here is not only what is needed for physical nourishment, but also that which is needed in our spiritual, emotional and community life.

Gregory of Nyssa comments on this petition in his writing on the Lord’s Prayer, Sermon 4: “Man is commanded to ask this [Give us this day our daily bread…] because what is empty must be filled. A man, therefore, who gives but nature its due and does not let his vain thoughts stray after things outside his needs is not far below the angelic state.” We lose simplicity when the responses to our natural and spiritual desires “far outstrip the necessities of life.” (Gregory of Nyssa, Beatitudes) It is when we are tempted to turn stones into bread, fulfilling a natural desire in an unnatural way, that we lose simplicity.

Therefore what can we say about simplicity? It is responding to meet our true and natural desires and needs (not what our dysfunctional ego wants) with only what is necessary – nothing more, and nothing less. Response to a need could be evaluated in this manner:

· Is this a true need, or is it an ego want?
· If it is a need, am I addressing it in a proper manner, sufficiently but not to excess?

Of all the ways I could meet this need,
· Am I meeting this need in the most simple, uncomplicated way?
· Which choice will have the least impact on the environment (which includes my own body)?

· Which choice adds more beauty to the world?

“We do not ignore the hunger,” Gregory of Nyssa would say, “since this is needed to preserve life.” But we do need to “sift out and cast away the superfluous things that have become mixed up with this need…” (Beatitudes) It would seem that anything outside of these guidelines is an attempt to turn stones into bread.

Your Brother in Christ,

Daniel-Joseph