Prayerful Reflection From The Little Books of Diocese of Saginaw

Drawing Upon Scriptural Passage From The Gospel of St. Matthew

February 11, 2009
By: Julie McCallum,
Senior Staff

The passage below is based upon the writings of Bishop Ken Untener who passed in 2004. Provided in the little books put together by Catherine Haven and the Diocese of Saginaw, Inc. inspired by Untener.

'Civilization, in the real sense of the term, consists not in multiplication, but in the deliberate and voluntary reduction of wants. This alone promotes happiness and contentment.'
- Mahatma Gandhi

Voluntary Simplicity

Less may be more, but it hasn't always been popular. Some people trace today's "possession obsession" to the heavy emphasis on materialism that developed after World War II.

Consider the limited sized of the closets in homes built during the depression. Compare that with today's new homes that feature spacious walk-in closets and plenty of storage space to store out "stuff". One-car garages have been replaced by three-car garage. The Hoover Era dream of a "chicken in every pot" has become the expectation of a TV (with remote control DVD player) in every room.

To support the consumption habit, Americans work longer hours then Europeans, in order to maintain our living standards and to acquire more and more things.

It is time to choose to return to a simpler life style?

Voluntary simplicity is cleaning out the clutter in our stuff and in our schedules. It's inventorying one's possessions and downsizing. It's examining how we spend our time and money and cutting out the non-essentials.

It's making choices and discarding things and activities that keep us from following the real desire of our hearts.