Simplicity of life is concerned with our relationship to things. But at the heart of its meaning is the relatedness of persons. It is positive and blessed because it is grounded in the right order of valuing persons over objects.
We travel light enough so that the goods of the earth may be enjoyed and celebrated by all. We travel light enough so that we ourselves may be for persons, rather than expend our lives collecting, maintaining, and replacing objects.
In simplicity, we are empowered to see the destitute, to share of our abundances, to ease the dehumanizing poverty that cries out to us. It enables us to give freely, to be more equitable. It frees us to engage in the injustices of the world, which are often the source of personal degradation. It makes us less fearful to put our own security at risk.
Simplicity gives us time for each other and for intimacy and friendship.
Simplicity is as related to love as it is to justice. It is freedom from compulsive addictions and entrenched escape mechanisms. It is liberty to see ourselves anew and to disengage from the comforts that blind us to the face of the poor.
It unfetters us, that we might play in and savor the moment, that we might give thanks and sing appreciation.
It can unlock us, finally, that we might do bold things, that we might more fully be women and men, not for things, but for people.
-John Kavanaugh, S.J.
No comments:
Post a Comment