Millions are thanking God for his great gift to the Church and the world by the election of Pope Francis. Many are praising the Holy Father for his simplicity.

Evangelically speaking, to be simple does not mean being a simpleton or uneducated. Pope Francis is a highly educated person. Rather, being simple in Christ’s perspective means to be totally God-focused. This is precisely what Saint Francis meant by this key Gospel virtue. In fact, it is interesting to note the same thrust within Saint Francis’ advice to his friars as recorded in Saint Bonaventure’s famous biography about the Poverello of Assisi:

“They should not study merely in order to have something to say; they should study so as to practise what they have learned and then encourage others to do likewise. I want my friars to be true disciples of the Gospel and to progress in knowledge of truth in such a way as to grow in simplicity.”

Simplicity means total, complete dedication and commitment to Jesus Christ. It demands unconditional surrender to the Gospel message.

Am I really simple in living my baptismal promises or a downright hypocrite, hiding behind all sorts of excuses and self-justifications?

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