Resolving to Live Simply in the Year of Mercy

Resolving to Live Simply in the Year of Mercy

January 8, 2016

Devil: 'C'mon!' Jesus: Nope, dude.

One of the oldest ideas in Christianity is that an aspect of living 

the good life is to live simply when possible. GK Chesterton wrote somewhere that “We need a right view of the human lot, a right of the human society; and if we were living eagerly and angrily in the enthusiasm of those things, we, ipso facto, would be living simply in the genuine and spiritual sense. Desire and danger make everyone

simple.” To live simply is hard to define outside of pointlessly vague assertions about avoiding complex situations, avoiding gossip and its consequences and living within one's means. It's a concept best described as knowing when you're in it. That may not be terribly helpful but that's the best I've got at the moment.

Everything in the Catholic world revolves around Pope Francis's declaration of thisliturgical year being one of mercy. The Year of Mercy should influence our decisions regarding Lenten sacrifices, how we show our love for neighbor, our worship, everything. In short, it should be a year of self sacrifice. TheCatholic Dictionary defines mercy as “the disposition to be kind and forgiving. Founded on compassion, mercy differs from compassion or the feeling of sympathy in putting this feeling into practice with a readiness to assist. It is therefore the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of pardon or reconciliation.” Our actions should be automatic, a response of instinct to those in need. This is not a short order. Pope Francis's declaration of a Year of Mercy is a challenge to Catholics everywhere. It's a challenge we all desperately need.

Remember when this caused a stir?

A not uncommon act of mercy is giving away our possessions to the needy. While this is definitely a kind act, many go about it improperly. Many who are not themselves poor believe that their castoff items that are little better than trash will be welcome to the most needy. In reality, the poor can just as easily identify trash regardless of the economic status of its previous owner. If the spirit of mercy includes an aspect of self-sacrifice, then pawning off our trash on those less fortunate than us violates that spirit. I'm not suggesting that giving used clothes to Goodwill is a bad thing – far from it – but I am say thing acts of mercy should be sacrificial in nature.

Jesus says as much himself. “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” (Luke 3:11, NAB). Lest we think owning two tunics was a sign of wealth in Jesus's time, even those who are poor are called to sacrifice. There is always someone in a worse condition than any of us. Mercy ins't meant to be comfortable, nor is it meant to be easy. And it shouldn't be self congratulatory. Sacrifices in the Church are not meant to be opportunities for bragging and self aggrandizing. Sacrificial mercy has an undeniable aspect of humility. As Blessed Fulton Sheen stated, “If pride is the great human obstacle to faith, it follows that, from the human side, the essential condition of receiving faith is humility. Humility is not an underestimation of what we are, but the plain, unadulterated truth. . . “ Taking pride in our sacrifices distorts the meaning of those acts.

I'll admit that I'm pretty awesome...,just not that awesome.

Participation in The Year of Mercy is meant for every believing Christian to grow in their faith and relationship with Christ. "Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful.' (Luke 6:36). Live anything Christ said, these are words to live by. If the Year of Mercy is anything it is an opportunity for Catholics who have forgotten to be merciful a chance to get back on track and live a life of mercy – that is, to live a life in Christ. Our actions count, regardless of what some non-Catholic Christians will say.