Ash Wednesday | February 17, 2010
Christian Simplicity Online at www.lent45.org
Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus – Living in Harmony with Creation, God and the Entire Human Family
Christian Simplicity Our goal this Lent:is to live more simply so others may simply live...
A Compassionate Life
Voluntary simplicity is a growing movement among Christians
around the world. As we awaken to the realization that our habitual “When you fast, do not look glum as the hypocrites …
and daily choices are damaging creation and impoverishing other when you fast, see to it that you groom your hair and
members of the human family, people of faith are asking: how can
wash your face. In that way no one can see you are
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we live in a way that is environmentally sustainable and socially just?
fasting but your Father who is hidden; and your Father
Many people in the United States now believe that our cultural who is hidden will repay you.” – Matthew 6:16
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priorities are out of whack. The greed, selfishness and consumer
mentality which drive our country are disturbing realities. They
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crowd out more meaningful values such as family time, community
involvement and spiritual fulfillment. Many people would like to get
their lives back in balance.
What the Church is Saying
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Some people are moving toward a more simple life because it offers 1. Lent: To Strengthen Compassion and Care
greater satisfaction than our high-stressed consumer society. But
“Fasting is an aid to open our eyes to the situation in which so many of
simplicity is no longer an alternative lifestyle only for a few ascetics.
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our brothers and sisters live…. By freely embracing an act of self-denial
In the United States, we require 22.3 acres of the Earth’s resources
for the sake of another, we make a statement that our brother or sister
to sustain our current average lifestyle while only 4.5 acres would
in need is not a stranger... This practice needs to be rediscovered
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be our fair portion. The footprint we leave on the Earth is too big.
and encouraged again in our day, especially during the liturgical
If we are going to unite ourselves as a human family, it is crucial
season of Lent.”
that people living in affluent nations begin cultivating lifestyles of
– Pope Benedict XVI, Lent 2009
simplicity and sustainability. We have to move from 22.3 toward 4.5.
It won’t happen overnight, but we must take steps in that direction.
2. Dangers of Excessive Consumption
Lent is a great opportunity to make a start.
“Changes in lifestyle based on traditional moral virtues can ease the
Fasting is a long-established Lenten practice. This Lent, each way to a sustainable and equitable world economy in which sacrifice will
week you will receive a bulletin insert highlighting an area of no longer be an unpopular concept. For many of us, a life less focused on
consumption. It will help focus your Lenten fast by making practical material gain may remind us that we are more than what we have.”
suggestions on ways to give up excessive use
– U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2001
of the Earth’s resources. It will enable you
to experiment with daily choices that are
3. A Call to Conversion in the Way We Treat the Natural World
more environmentally sustainable and socially
just – caring for God’s creation and caring for “Grateful for the gift of creation... we invite Catholics and men and
God’s people. women of good will in every walk of life to consider with us the moral
issues raised by the environmental crisis... These are matters of
powerful urgency and major consequence. They constitute an
How can we live in a way exceptional call to conversion. As individuals, as institutions, as a people,
that is environmentally we need a change of heart to preserve and protect the planet for our
children and for generations yet unborn.”
sustainable and socially just?
– U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Renewing the Earth, 1992
Imagine if the Earth were divided equally among all of us. Each person would receive 4.5 acres. Now imagine that everything you need – food, energy, home,
clothing, gadgets – must come from those 4.5 acres. But it takes 22.3 acres to maintain the average American lifestyle. There is a new way of observing Lent that
helps us care for God’s creation by taking steps toward using only our fair share of its resources. Moving in the direction of 4.5 is essential for anyone walking in Page 1
the footsteps of Jesus today. Online at www.lent45.org
Christian Simplicity Online at www.lent45.org
Action Steps
Do more than give up chocolate Simplifying your life during Lent
this Lent. Live simply so that Remove one light bulb from a well-used area of your home. Live
others may simply live. without it during Lent as a symbol of your intention to abstain from
over-consuming. At Easter, replace it with an energy-efficient bulb.
Carry a mug. Use only cloth napkins during Lent. Give up wasteful
disposables like Styrofoam and paper products that take precious
The challenge of simplicity is to live differently than the standards set
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resources to make and end up in landfills.
by a greedy consumer culture.
Be aware of the consequences of wasted packaging materials. Notice
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This Lent, try setting purchasing limits that fit with your values, and live how much stuff you toss away within 15 minutes of contact.
within them. Use your buying power to reinforce your faith. Let your
Stop throwing stuff away. Where is away? It’s going somewhere on the
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shopping decisions make a difference. With each dollar you can select
planet. This Lent REDUCE consumption, REUSE whatever you can, and
products that are socially and environmentally responsible. Clear the
learn how to RECYLE. Whatever you don’t recycle or compost goes
clutter from your home. Develop a sense of moderation and sharing.
into grimy landfills.
Discover the joy that comes from contentment, sensing that you have
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enough. And hold in your heart those people who don’t have enough – Abstain from over-scheduling your life. Consciously connect with the
enough food, enough water, enough of basic life necessities. natural world at least once each day during Lent.
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Christian simplicity means setting limits that reflect your faith values Daily prayer. Sit quietly in gratitude for the gift of life.
by taking only what you need – not wasting or taking in excess. Good
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stewardship of creation results in a life that is outwardly simple,
If There’s Only One Thing You Can Do …
inwardly rich and socially just.
Give Up Plastic and Paper Bags – Opt for Reusable Bags
As a sign of penance, Old Testament prophets would wear
Blog If you have ideas on how to live Christian simplicity, sackcloth and ashes. On Ash Wednesday, get your ashes.
you can help form a supportive community of change by But instead of wearing sackcloth all Lent, carry a reusable
sharing them online at our Lent 4.5 blog. sackCLOTH bag whenever you go shopping. 12 million barrels
of oil were used to make 88.5 billion plastic bags for the U.S.
last year. No wasteful plastic or paper this Lent (and beyond).
Prayer
Creator God, Steps Continued
you have blessed this planet and
made all things good. You have Available online at www.Lent45.org
entrusted to us responsibility
for your creation. Teach us to
always use the created things 1. Watch “Home,” an extraordinary movie about the
of this Earth with care – not only planet on which you’ll live. This video is
wasting or reckless, with available free online and will help you understand
gratitude – not arrogance or why caring for creation is so important.
indifference, and with a 2. Read a portion of Richard Foster’s spiritual classic,
generous heart – not in excess Freedom of Simplicity.
or hoarding. – Amen.
3. Read Duane Elgin’s essay, Choosing a New Lifeway,
Voluntary Simplicity.
Passionist Earth & Spirit Center online resources available at www.earthandspiritcenter.org
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