REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
Movement:
Ponder
Read the
following excerpt from Invitation & Commitments: A Rule of Life.
5.4.1 Our life together, in
both Residential and Non-Residential expressions, pursues simplicity in a world
of increasing complexity. Each member, in prayer and leading by the Holy
Spirit, and in collaboration with a spiritual director, should develop his/her
own way of living that intentionally moves toward greater simplicity.
5.4.2 As with any formational
practices and commitments that are counter-cultural, these are to be pursued
with humility and without judgment of others.
5.4.3 We invite members to
consider the following areas as contexts where the pursuit of simplicity may
come into focus. We choose simplicity not for the sake of simplicity, but for
formation of our own lives and the way they are “lived” in the world.
Clothing
5.4.4 Clothing can often be
an expression of individuality and a creative outlet for beauty. This can be
celebrated and even nurtured. However, it also can be a context for some degree
of obsession regarding the latest fashion – feeding a need to “fit in.” We seek
to hold these expressions in a tension.
5.4.5 While we do not share a
common wardrobe or dictate a “style” of clothing for members, we invite members
to consider how their choice of clothing is reflective of their life with God.
For example, some may choose to invest in a few items of clothing, manufactured
in a way that honors life and is not dependent upon slave-labor. Others may
find that choosing clothes at a thrift-store – an approach that “resuses what
has not been used up” – allows for a wider variety. In our choice of clothing,
we are trying to combat an attitude of consumption.
5.4.6 Our commitment is toward
a deep consideration of how our purchase of clothing impacts individuals and
cultures that are currently being exploited for cheap labor, often in
conditions where injustice reigns.
5.4.8 In pursuit of a life of
simplicity, the invitation is toward less, not more.
Food
5.4.9 Our relationship with
food, as a culture, is remarkable trouble. Our commitment to simplicity in
eating supports our care for our bodies and also supports our commitment to a
healthy agricultural system. We invite members to take great interest in what
and how they eat, recognizing that what we put into our bodies is often
reflected in our emotional life and well-being.
5.4.10 Residential Members will
find that meals are simple, but wholesome, well-prepared, but not meant to
impress. Where possible, we will use what we can produce, and buy what we need
from nearby sources.
5.4.11 Non-Residential Members
will be encouraged to dialogue with a spiritual director about food, eating and
fasting, and the role of food in spiritual formation.
5.4.13 Each Residential
Community will develop its own rhythm of “fasting and feasting” in
collaboration with the Director and Lead Spiritual Director.
Possessions
5.4.14 Possessions, the things
we have and keep, are often a reflection of cultural values and not necessarily
neutral in their effect on our lives. In a western consumer culture, it is
often not the possession itself (some new gadget or a smarter phone) that meets
a great need, but its acquisition.
5.4.15 Our commitment to
simplicity for what we own and keep will not categorically label certain types
of possessions to be avoided and others to be embraced. But rather, simplicity
regarding possessions will be a consideration in the context of Spiritual
Direction and under guidance by the Holy Spirit. We invite members to look
deeply at what forces are at work that lead one to want something he/she
currently does not have. Through consistent examen and reflection we trust that
through the work of the Holy Spirit, any disordered attachment to ownership
will be revealed in a member’s life.
5.4.17 It will be assumed that
Residential members will have downsized in order to come to live in a
Residential Community. Practically, the footprint of one’s room will by itself
radically limit the possessions one may bring into a Residential Community.
Technology
5.4.18 Technology is not to be
regarded as good or bad. A great deal of technology allows for life, while some
life is choked out by our gadgets and our addiction to them. Our commitment to
simplicity carries with it a commitment to open-handedness with our engagement
with technology.
5.4.19 We seek to be
indifferent to the role that this dominant feature of our current culture plays
in our life. We are not striving to be counter-cultural simply for the sake of
standing against the prevalent culture. However, we recognize simply that our
relationship with technology is often not a neutral relationship. The effects
of social media, for example, are still not entirely understood. We aim to
engage in conversations that seriously consider what is or isn’t best for our
personal life and relationships. As in other areas, here there is no hard and
fast rule but an invitation toward responding to God through an intentional
examen of our current practice.
Poverty
5.4.21 In some contexts,
members may feel an invitation toward voluntary poverty. Poverty is not
regarded as more spiritual, though for some, a season of intentional poverty
may be a path toward a deeper formation. We wish to arrive at a place where we
are seeking neither to give up our possessions nor to retain them unless
directed by God through prayer and affirmed in community. There are contexts
even outside the church where individuals choose poverty as an act of
solidarity with the poor and to better understand the plight of those who have
little.
5.4.22 We are open to God’s
invitation toward voluntary poverty recognizing that we could give away all our
possessions to the poor – and yet if we do not have love, we gain nothing. We
view poverty as one area that God might extend his invitation to me in my
current context.
5.4.24 Decisions for
individuals to move toward voluntary poverty will be discerned in each
community. Members wishing to enter into a season of voluntary poverty will
first present the desire to their spiritual director who will help them in
furthering the conversation with those around them.
5.4.25 Members with families,
particularly those with children, will be strongly encouraged to take a form of
voluntary poverty that does not allow one’s invitation toward poverty to
adversely affect one’s responsibilities to provide for one’s family.
Re-read
the excerpt, underlining key phrases that stand out to you, and write any
personal notes below about what this commitment area entails.
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
Movement:
Respond
Reflect
on the implications to your life of the commitment area of Simplicity and
Poverty by answering the questions provided in the book Invitations &
Commitments: A Rule of Life.
Clothing:
Am I willing to stand against systems of injustice when it is inconvenient for
me?
Clothing:
Am I content with what I look like? With my body? Why or why not?
Food:
How are periods of “fasting” and periods of “feasting” a part of my spiritual
formation?
Food:
What happens to me when I remove food from my life for a period of time?
Food: What happens to me when I
celebrate through feasting and abundance?
Possessions: How are the things we have
or want getting in the way of following Jesus?
Possessions: Is there currently any
possession I am longing for? Is there anything else behind the longing for this
possession?
Technology: Where is my relationship
with technology creating complexity in my life and relationships?
Poverty: Would a season of intentional
poverty help free me up in some way in my life with God?
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
Movement:
Recognize
Recognize
God’s work in your life and listen as He speaks to your heart by responding to
the following questions.
What
is God Already Doing?
Write
down bullet points or notes about ways God is already working in your life to
fulfil the above commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty?
What
is God Already Saying?
Write
down bullet points or notes of things God has already been speaking to you
about in terms of your approach to clothing, food, possessions, technology, and
poverty over the last several months to a year? What has He been leading you
into in each of these areas that have not been able to realize fully as of yet?
Step
Three: Where is God Going?
Read
the section from Invitations & Commitments over a few times. As you
read, note what areas God is pointing His finger on as an area of opportunity?
Do you feel convicted about falling short in any of the areas mentioned? Write
those down.
Pray over the
above growth areas. Ask God to show you how you can incorporate these practices
into practical life. Wait on the Lord for a few minutes to listen to what He
wants to say to you about this. Write down any insights or next steps you hear
from the Lord.
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
Movement:
Pray
Read
over the last seven pages slowly, allowing the state of your soul to reflect
back to you as in a mirror. Quiet your spirit before the Lord and open yourself
to sense His presence.
Write
down 2-5 categories or themes that encompass your current and desired state for
Simplicity and Poverty.
Using the above themes as a guide, write a reflective
prayer to God asking for His help, guidance and forgiveness for the areas you
listed on the previous page. This prayer should be applicable to varying
practices and situations so it can be read over and over throughout time as you
grow and develop in this commitment area. The prayer should not be a checklist,
but an intimate heart’s cry to the Lover of your Soul to invite Him into this
area of your life and spiritual practice.
Sample of a reflective prayer:
Master and
Owner of All I Have, prune my desires so I am content with what I need and
resist the temptation to buy the things I want. Be the voice in my head to
remind me when to stop eating when I’ve had enough, to eat healthy and to be
active. Open my tight fist that I may be generous with those things I have in
excess. I give you charge of my pocketbook. Stop me before I spend money
foolishly. Let me only buy that which will aid in keeping my commitments. Work
in me a poverty of spirit that I may be able to approach Your throne empty-handed
so that You can fill them with good things from above. – Beloved Servant
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditate on the
following scripture passages where John the Baptist demonstrated the commitment
area of Simplicity and Poverty in real life scenarios.
Meditation: Seeing
Our Smallness
Movement:
Reflect
Read Mark
1:1-11
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus
the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I
will send my messenger ahead of you, who
will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare
the way for the Lord, make straight
paths for him.’”
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the
wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him.
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John
wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and
he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the
one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop
down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the
Holy Spirit.”
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in
Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up
out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on
him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love;
with you I am well pleased.”
Digest
Sit in
silence for a few minutes and let your heart and thoughts linger on the
passage.
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditation:
Seeing Our Smallness
Movement:
Consider
Open your
heart to consider how the scripture passage personifies the commitment area of Simplicity
and Poverty.
Read Mark
1:1-11
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus
the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I
will send my messenger ahead of you, who
will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare
the way for the Lord, make straight
paths for him.’”
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the
wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him.
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John
wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and
he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the
one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop
down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the
Holy Spirit.”
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in
Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up
out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on
him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love;
with you I am well pleased.”
Underline any key phrases and
write your own meditative notes about the passage below.
Sample of a reflective meditation: Surrounded by constant
questions about who he was (Mk. 1:7-8, Matt. 3:14, Luke 3:16, John 1:20-21,
26-27) , John the Baptist consistently deflected the question by pointing to
the One he was not. The imagery he uses to illustrate his unworthiness is the
untying of the Lord’s sandal which was the job of the lowest servant in the
Jewish home.
John’s time in the wilderness
had taught him his limits. He could not stop his pangs of hunger or the
persistent cold of the desert nights. By experiencing human existence at its
most basic level, John’s senses were heightened to the things of God. He hears
God’s voice and sees into the Heavenly realm as if it were tangible (John
1:34). – Beloved Servant
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditation:
Seeing Our Smallness
Movement: Apply
Examine yourself in light of the principles demonstrated in
the life of John the Baptist and apply them to your own life history and
situations.
What self-sacrifices have you made for the purpose of
drawing closer to God?
What distractions are there in your life that could be
eliminated to help you better focus on God?
Have you made efforts towards greater simplicity and poverty
in your life? If so, how have these changes humbled you?
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditation: Finding Our Joy
Meditate on the
following scripture passages where John the Baptist demonstrated the commitment
area of Simplicity and Poverty in real life scenarios.
Movement:
Reflect
Read John 3:22-4:3
22 After this, Jesus
and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some
time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near
Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.
24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between
some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial
washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with
you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is
baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
27 To this John
replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You
yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of
him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the
bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the
bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become
greater; I must become less.”
31 The one who comes
from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth,
and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his
testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[b] gives the
Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in
his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects
the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
4 Now Jesus learned
that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples
than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.
3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
Digest
Sit in
silence for a few minutes and let your heart and thoughts linger on the
passage.
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditation: Finding Our Joy
Movement:
Consider
Open your
heart to consider how the scripture passage personifies the commitment area of Simplicity
and Poverty.
Read John 3:22-4:3
22 After this, Jesus
and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some
time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near
Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being
baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed
between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of
ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who
was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look,
he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
27 To this John
replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You
yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of
him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the
bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the
bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become
greater; I must become less.”
31 The one who comes
from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth,
and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.
33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one
whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[b] gives the Spirit without
limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will
not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
4 Now Jesus learned
that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples
than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.
3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
Underline any key phrases and
write your own meditative notes about the passage below.
Sample of a reflective meditation:
For a time, both John
and Jesus were preaching in Judea simultaneously. When questioned about Jesus’
popularity, John beamed for joy at the Lord’s success in gathering followers.
He had directed some of his own disciples to Jesus early in His ministry (John
1:35-37). For John, his own decrease was the fulfillment of his dream and
mission.
The joy which had
sparked him in his mother’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice (Luke 1:41) had
lit aflame when he heard the voice of Jesus, the very Christ Himself. – Beloved Servant
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditation: Finding Our Joy
Movement:
Apply
Examine
yourself in light of the principles demonstrated in the life of John the
Baptist and apply them to your own life history and situations.
Would you
agree with the concept that a crowded life is a stressed life? If so, what is
there in your life that is crowding out your joy?
Often the
simplest things in life are what bring us the most joy. Make a list of the
non-material things that you enjoy most in life.
Which of your
dreams would flood you with joy if it became real? How could simplicity and
poverty help that happen?
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditate on the
following scripture passages where John the Baptist demonstrated the commitment
area of Simplicity and Poverty in real life scenarios.
Meditation:
Seeking the Truth
Movement:
Reflect
Read Matthew
11:1-19
11 After Jesus had finished instructing his
twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of
Galilee. 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah,
he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should
we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you
hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy
are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is
proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of
me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus
began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the
wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to
see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in
kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you,
and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will
send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of
women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is
least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the
Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and
violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law
prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah
who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this generation?
They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17
“‘We played the pipe for you, and you
did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you
did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He
has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here
is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But
wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
Digest
Sit in
silence for a few minutes and let your heart and thoughts linger on the
passage.
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditation:
Seeking the Truth
Movement:
Consider
Open your
heart to consider how the scripture passage personifies the commitment area of Simplicity
and Poverty.
Read Matthew
11:1-19
11 After Jesus had finished instructing his
twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of
Galilee. 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah,
he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should
we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you
hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy
are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is
proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of
me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus
began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the
wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to
see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in
kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you,
and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will
send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of
women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is
least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the
Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and
violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law
prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah
who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this generation?
They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17
“‘We played the pipe for you, and you
did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you
did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He
has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here
is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But
wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
Underline any key phrases and
write your own meditative notes about the passage on the next page.
Sample of a reflective meditation: In prison, John the Baptist’s reality was as
simple and as destitute as is humanly possible. Although John did not have any
possessions as a wilderness prophet, all he had enjoyed was stripped from him when
he was imprisoned – his freedom, his ministry, even his Lord. In the dampness,
he experienced a dark night of the soul and doubs began to creep in. He had to
talk to Jesus – at least get a message to Him. Had he got it right? Did he
interpret the signs correctly (John 1:29-34)? Could he meet God face to face in
death with confidence? He does not ask for his freedom from his prison cell,
only freedom for his soul and his conscience.
Jesus does more than affirm John the Baptist,
He honors him to the crowd with the highest praise. Yet He reminds them as well
of the beauty of humility, bringing John’s message back to its full circle. The
Book of Hebrews says that the world is not worthy of those who willingly
sacrifice and suffer, and then die without seeing the promise (Heb. 11:37-40). –
Beloved Servant
REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE
Simplicity and Poverty
John the
Baptist: Focused on Faith
Meditation:
Seeking the Truth
Movement:
Apply
Examine
yourself in light of the principles demonstrated in the life of John the
Baptist and apply them to your own life history and situations.
Recall a time
in your life when you experienced a “dark night of the soul”. How did you
overcome it?
What doubts
plague you the most in your life?
If you could
ask Jesus any question, what would it be?
How can
simplifying your life and budget help you through the tough times?
