.jpeg)
4.3 The Role of Simplicity and Detachment from Material Things
Opening Reflection
Simplicity and detachment are foundational to the ascetical life (መንፈሳዊ
ተጋደሎ) of the Orthodox Fathers. These virtues are not about impoverishing
oneself arbitrarily, but about freeing the heart from the distractions and
enslavements of material things. Through simplicity, the soul can more fully
pursue union with God, recognizing that true life and joy come from Him alone.
1. The Call to Simplicity in Scripture
- Jesus’ teaching
on simplicity:
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions… But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” “የሰው ሕይወት በገንዘቡ ብዛት አይደለምና ተጠንቀቁ፥ ከመጐምጀትም ሁሉ ተጠበቁ አላቸው።… ዳሩ ግን መንግሥቱን ፈልጉ ይህም ሁሉ ይጨመርላችኋል።” (Luke 12:15, 31)
Christ calls us to prioritize God’s kingdom over worldly wealth, and all else will be added to us.
·
Apostle Paul’s counsel:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the
world, and we can take nothing out of it.” “ኑሮዬ ይበቃኛል ለሚለው ግን እግዚአብሔርን መምሰል እጅግ ማትረፊያ ነው፤ ወደ ዓለም ምንም እንኳ አላመጣንምና::” (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
We grow in godliness (እግዚአብሔርን መምሰል) by detaching ourselves from the love of
wealth, possessions, and worldly ambitions—things that enslave the heart and
distract us from our true calling in Christ.
This verse emphasizes that true gain
is found in godliness (እግዚአብሔርን በመምሰል) and gratitude for
what we have, not in relying on what we cannot keep.
- The Beatitudes:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “በመንፈስ ድሆች የሆኑ ብፁዓን ናቸው፥ መንግሥተ ሰማያት የእነርሱ ናትና።” (Matthew 5:3)
To be “poor in spirit” “በመንፈስ ድሆች” means to humbly recognize our dependence on God, letting go of pride and attachment to wealth and self-sufficiency. This spiritual poverty begins with detachment from material reliance, from ego, and worldly desires, making room for God’s grace to reign in the heart.
2. Simplicity and Detachment Defined
- Simplicity: Living with
only what is necessary for body and soul, avoiding excess.
- Detachment: Freedom from attachment
or dependence on material possessions or comforts.
Both virtues are practiced to cultivate the heart’s undivided love for
God, free from the distractions of excessive worldly desires. The principle is
clear: if we have what is truly necessary for our living, there is no reason to
excessively love material possessions. Of course, to obtain what is necessary
for our life, we must work diligently, strive in our profession, and follow
paths that lead to sufficiency, always asking for God’s help and blessing.
3. Teachings of the Church Fathers
- St. John
Cassian (360–435 AD) :
“He who clings (adheres) to worldly possessions cannot
have the peace of God, for the heart is divided.”
- St. Basil the
Great ( 329–379 AD) :
“True wealth consists not in the abundance of
possessions but in a heart at peace.”
- St. Anthony the
Great (251–356 AD) :
“If you desire to follow Christ, you must abandon
worldly attachments and seek heavenly treasures.”
4. The Role of Simplicity in the Ascetical
Life (መንፈሳዊ ተጋድሎ)
- Freedom from
Distraction: Simplicity clears the soul from the noise of constant desire.
- Focus on God: When material
things do not compete for attention, the heart can focus on God.
- Trust in
Providence: Detachment nurtures trust in God’s providential care.
- Love and
Generosity: Simplicity opens the heart to love others, sharing what one has.
5. Detachment and the Danger of
Possessions
- Material things
are neutral; attachment is what enslaves.
- The Fathers
warn against avarice (love for possession), which blinds the soul.
- St. Macarius
the Great (300–391 AD) said:
“The root of all passions is
attachment to things of this world.”
6. Practical Expressions of Simplicity
and Detachment
- Living modestly
in dress, food, and possessions.
- Avoiding luxury
and excess.
- Practicing
generosity and almsgiving.
- Simplifying
daily routines to create space for prayer and contemplation.
Simplicity and detachment call us to embrace moderation
and avoid excess and luxury in our lives, especially in today’s challenging
world.
7. Examples from the Lives of the
Fathers
- St. Seraphim of
Sarov: Lived simply in a forest shed, detached from worldly goods.
- St. Moses the
Black: A Former robber who embraced radical simplicity and humility.
- St. Nilus the
Ascetic: Spoke against attachment to wealth, urging monks to live with basic
necessities.
To practice simplicity and detachment, we don’t
necessarily need to flee to the desert; rather, we can cultivate a desert
within our hearts, even while living amidst the complexities of today’s world.
8. Biblical and Patristic Summary
Luke 12:15 — “Life does not consist in the abundance of
possessions.” “የሰው ሕይወት በገንዘቡ ብዛት አይደለምና ተጠንቀቁ ::”
St. John Cassian reflects on this truth, teaching that a divided heart, attached
to worldly goods, cannot have peace.
1 Timothy 6:6–7 — “Godliness with contentment (ባለን ነገር
ማመስገን) is great gain, for we
brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” “ኑሮዬ ይበቃኛል ለሚለው ግን እግዚአብሔርን መምሰል እጅግ ማትረፊያ ነው፤ ወደ ዓለም ምንም እንኳ አላመጣንምና ::”
St. Basil the Great echoes this, affirming that true wealth is found in a heart
free from anxiety over possessions.
Matthew
6:19–21 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up
treasures in heaven.” “ብልና ዝገት በሚያጠፉት ሌቦችም ቆፍረው በሚሠርቁት ዘንድ ለእናንተ በምድር ላይ መዝገብ አትሰብስቡ፤ነገር ግን ብልም ዝገትም በማያጠፉት ሌቦችም ቆፍረው በማይሠርቁት ዘንድ ለእናንተ በሰማይ መዝገብ ሰብስቡ ::”
St. Anthony the Great applies this verse, urging believers to abandon
worldly attachments and seek heavenly treasure instead.
Conclusion
Among the ways the Orthodox Fathers succeeded in their ascetical life was
through simplicity and detachment from material things. By freeing their hearts
from the bondage of possessions, they opened themselves fully to God’s grace,
found peace of soul, and laid up treasures in heaven. Their example invites us
to live moderately, trust more deeply in God’s providence, and seek true
wealth—a heart undivided and wholly turned toward Him. In simplicity and
detachment, we too can discover the joy and freedom of life in Christ.
9. Reflection Questions
- How do material
possessions affect my spiritual focus and prayer life?
- In what areas
can I cultivate greater simplicity and detachment?
- How does
trusting God’s providence help me to live more simply?
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment