Franciscan Quote of the Day

It seems to me most Christians “preach” one gospel and live another. We preach the Good Samaritan and ignore the poor. We preach the gospel of trust but lock our church doors. We preach the lilies of the field and allocate large amounts of our monthly paychecks to pension and insurance plans. We preach the gospel of peace but plot to destroy our enemies. We preach the gospel of forgiveness but build prisons. We preach the gospel of tolerance but are rigid and judgmental. We preach a gospel of unity but live in ghettos of separateness. We preach the gospel of simplicity but live in mansions. We preach the gospel of service but we want to be served. We preach the gospel of prayer but prefer to be entertained. We preach the gospel of love but easily succumb to hatred.

~ Gerry Straub, “Divisive Times”

Francois Fenelon, in his book Christian Perfection, wrote: “It is a wise self-love, which wants to get out of the intoxication of outside things.” Before I can free myself from the lure of material things, I have to become more sensitive to the things of the spirit, which will diminish my chances of being dazzled by superficial allurements. More important than a new car or the fastest computer will be the latest revelation from God on how I can better love my neighbor while at the same time deflecting my own self-centered greed. Through simplicity we learn that self-denial paradoxically leads to true self-fulfillment. Simplicity allows us to hold the interests of others above out self-interest. Real simplicity is true freedom. The constant drumbeat of materialism will no longer be deafening. We will desire less, and be happy with less.

Gerry Straub, “Holy Simplicity”, Gerry Straub’s Blog

The name symbolizes “poverty, humility, simplicity and rebuilding the Catholic Church,” Allen said. “The new pope is sending a signal that this will not be business as usual.”

~CNN Vatican analyst John Allen via Michael Martinez’s article Pope Francis’ name choice ‘precedent shattering’ – CNN.com

We should try unceasingly to allow each one of our actions to become a moment of communion with God: not a studied act, but just as it comes from purity and simplicity of heart.

~Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

The world calls for and expects from us simplicity of life, the spirit of prayer, charity towards all, especially towards the lowly and the poor, obedience and humility… Without this mark of holiness, our word will have difficulty in touching the heart of modern man. It risks being vain and sterile.

~Pope Paul VI via Little Portion Hermitage

“When I came to you,” writes St. Paul to the Corinthians, “I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Stay a while. Do not hurry by the cross on your way to Easter joy, for we know the risen Lord only through Christ and him crucified. The philosopher Alfred North Whitehead said that the only simplicity to be trusted is the simplicity to be found on the far side of complexity. The only joy to be trusted is the joy on the far side of a broken heart; the only life to be trusted is the life on the far side of death. Stay a while, with Christ and him crucified.

~Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, Death on a Friday Afternoon

Humility and simplicity belong together; Where we have no wish to compete with our neighbour; Where we can be open and helpful; Where we can comfort the distressed, And encourage those who are left behind. Humility is what Peter called; “The imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit”. (1 Peter 3:4)

~Third Order, Society of Saint Francis, Lenten  Reflection Day 23

Silence frees us from the need to control others … A frantic stream of words flows from us in an attempt to straighten others out. We want so desperately for them to agree with us, to see things our way. We evaluate people, judge people, condemn people. We devour people with our words. Silence is one of the deepest Disciplines of the Spirit simply because it puts the stopper on that.

~Richard Foster, Freedom of Simplicity (as quoted on the Sojourners blog)