God’s Vision of Abundant Life
Reflection “The biggest incentive for living a simpler lifestyle is...
• Live simply so others may simply live
• To contribute to the equality of people
by not using more than one‘s fair share of the earth’s resources
• Because of the poor
• Simplifying gives life meaning and value
Simplifying makes one feel less rushedSimplifying allows one to live as Jesus lived
• Becoming less “thing”-centered frees people to focus on relationships
• Learning to put others first;
learning to prioritize - learning to become less selfish
• Helping the environment
• Contributing to your own health by gaining a longer and better life.”
Watch The Earth Day VIDEO
Questions To Ask
1. How has the secular understanding of “abundant living” (i.e., accumulation of wealth, abundant material possessions, consumerism, throwaway society) impacted our common home and our relationship with God?
2. What is a faithful understanding of “God’s vision of abundant living”?
3. How would your life and the life of your community change if you/your community adopted a simpler lifestyle and promoted a faithful vision of abundant living on Earth?
4. What is your biggest incentive for living a simpler lifestyle? What is your biggest obstacle?
Reading from Laudato Si’
A change in lifestyle could bring healthy pressure to bear on those who wield political, economic and social power. This is what consumer movements accomplish by boycotting certain products. They prove successful in changing the way businesses operate, forcing them to consider their environmental footprint and their patterns of production. When social pressure affects their earnings, businesses clearly have to find ways to produce differently. This shows us the great need for a sense of social responsibility on the part of consumers. “Purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act.” Today, in a word, “the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle.” (#206) … We are always capable of going out of ourselves towards the other. Unless we do this, other creatures will not be recognized for their true worth; we are unconcerned about caring for things for the sake of others; we fail to set limits on ourselves in order to avoid the suffering of others or the deterioration of our surroundings. Disinterested concern for others, and the rejection of every form of self-centeredness and self-absorption, are essential if we truly wish to care for our brothers and sisters and for the natural environment. These attitudes also attune us to the moral imperative of assessing the impact of our every action and personal decision on the world around us. If we can overcome individualism, we will truly be able to develop a different lifestyle and bring about significant changes in society. (#208)
Celebrate being poor in spirit,
For yours is the Kingdom of God !
Gospel of St. Matthew 5: 3 - 12
