A Simple Spirit
Ron Heinze of Albuquerque, NM, USA
Jesus and Saint Francis had a genius for not eliminating or punishing the so-called negative side of the world, but incorporating and using it. Francis, simply imitating Jesus, goes to the edge of town and to the bottom of society; he kisses the leper, loves the poor, and wears patches on the outside of his habit so everyone will know that this is what he’s like on the inside. Francis doesn’t hide from his shadow side, but weeps over it and welcomes it as his teacher. -Richard Rohr, Everything Belongs, https://cac.org/everything-belongs-2016-02-17/
Ever since my wife passed over three years ago, I have been getting rid of THINGS. It is easy to collect stuff over the years, and the older I get, the more simplification I desire. All I need is a toothbrush, a skillet, and a guitar!
In June, I was having dinner by myself at a beautiful resort in Tesuque, New Mexico, near Santa Fe. My waiter, Jimenez, originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, told me he started working over 40 years ago in the fields of southern New Mexico. He married a friend of their family and had three beautiful daughters. He mentioned they lost one daughter as he pointed to the heavens. Jimenez has been working job to job in the Santa Fe area, mainly as a waiter, and his wife cleans homes.
Over the years, they managed to give their children a great life and put them through college. Jimenez, now in his early sixties, told me with a humble heart and a gleam in his eyes, that his dream was to move back to Mexico and commute to the fields of southern New Mexico and to find simplicity again in his life.
How much of St. Francis do we have in us?
Prayer Phrase
In God, I live and move and have my being.
Spiritual Practice
Breathing in the Spaces
When you move into different spaces throughout your day, consciously place yourself in the new setting with a desire to be alert to God’s presence. Over time, simply taking a deliberate breath will remind you that you are in God’s presence and that you want to be alert to God’s purposes in that setting. When entering the different spaces in your day (workplace, a colleague’s office, a restaurant or place of business, school or places where people meet) pause and take a deliberate breath. When returning home, pause to take a breath. As you take a deep breath, breathe in the goodness of the profound presence and purposes of God in each place you find yourself. Allow yourself to be drawn to people who may be blessed in simple ways by you being aware of them as persons of worth. -adapted from missionalleaders.org
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
