Detachment: Living Simply

The Lord instructed the disciples to take nothing that was not needed. The Lord instructs the disciples to take no money, no sack, no food and no extra clothes. How was He expecting them to live? He was challenging them to accept God’s Providence when engaged in the service of His Kingdom.

The complications of our comfortable surroundings, our physical needs, our storage, our food, our clothing and even our savings accounts and insurance and health plans, are being questioned, when the Lord asks us to put aside our normal ways and serve Him. The missionary is confronted with such challenges.  Spouses and parents are confronted with such sacrifices when engaged in their relationships, as they are called to make sacrifices for each other. Those who are engaged in any service to other people make sacrifices or “put aside” things for the sake of others.

Those who serve public needs understand that they will be asked to put aside their own desires for the sake of others for a higher goal or the common good. Those in the medical, educational, or even military service, or first response, are asked to put aside themselves for the sake of others. Those who feel called to a spiritual vocation also should understand that they must put aside themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

The Lord tells the disciples to take nothing they do not need. This basic principle challenges us to live in a simple manner. Living in a complicated manner can result in destroying our goal, or making ourselves and others unhappy.  We should strive to live in a reasonable manner according to our basic needs. We should not be seeking things, but rather seeking the Lord.
 
Reflection questions:

• What effect does a simple lifestyle have on a person?
• What things are we challenged to set aside for a good cause?