SO SIMPLE

 

SO SIMPLE

The best parts of life are so very simple with very few needs and seem to come with an overwhelming sense of fulfillment and satisfaction-no matter how big or small our bank accounts, our accumulations or the lists of our accomplishments are. And yet for most of us  the worries and obstacles of today will try their best to contradict and steal from us what we know to be true- that it is in the simple pleasures of life and ultimately in our relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord that we find fulfillment and contentment.

Take it from the experience of the great Saint Paul who declared, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (Philippians 4:12)

MISCOMMUNICATION

MISCOMMUNICATION 

A teenager  was failing in most of his subjects in college. His parents felt that they had spoiled him by giving everything he wanted, that he showed little interest in studying,  despite being sent to one of the best colleges. He was lazy and preferred to go out with his friends. 

One day he approached his dad and said,  "Dad, I have found the car that I want. It is only a couple of years old. It is just like new and the owner said you could buy it for me for only $15,000."  

The father said, "Son, I find myself unable and unwilling to accede to your persuasiveness for such a bauble of extravagance."

The son was puzzled and  confused. He said, “Dad I I don’t get it. I can’ t understand what the hell you’re saying." 

“Son” the father said, “What the hell is happening to you. Don’t you understand English? I pay a great deal of money for your education. Now go back to school, because there seems to be a terrible failure of communication here.”

STRAIGHT AND SIMPLE

On a late afternoon I lined up in popular Fast-Food Chain  to have a bite. The hunger pangs needed to be appeased.

When I reached the girl at the counter she gave the usual pat greeting and asked what I wanted. I said I wanted a hamburger.

She seemed puzzled by the simplicity of my need. She asked me if I would prefer hamburger with cheese, burger with coke, burger with fries, burger with pasta or would I prefer meal 1, meal 2 or meal 3, or a number of combinations which they call combo, making my head spin.

I was only hoping  she would feed me a piece of hamburger, no more no less. So why push an array of food  in a dizzying display of commercial hype pressing me to spend more for what I don’t need? 

I realized  visiting a food chain is stressful.. Ordering or buying food  nowadays is  complicated. A lot of run around, obtuse offers, confusing presentation, or worst deceiving spirits.

One authority in the field of Communication says we should stick to the simple principle of KISS.

Keep

It

Straight (and)

Simple.

Why not? And why can’t they? 

Our Lord is the greatest Master of simplicity. He summarized the Ten Commandments and reduced it only to two:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

Still, despite the straight simplicity some Christians find it hard to understand and obey them.

Like the lawyer who talked to Jesus, they have to ask who is my neighbor (See Luke 10:25-37) then start a debate.

Ah, what a world.