Simplicity

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (1)

"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves." (2)


Simple Hearts

The cold attachments of the heart,
And complications of the mind,
Divided her further apart --
Leaving her soul both deaf and blind.

A child-like simplicity
Comes to the pure and simple soul:
Her mind is cleared; her heart's set free --
She is congealed into one whole.

She leaves behind her heart's old ways:
Discovering simplicity,
Her mind's silenced with prayer's pure gaze --
Her love joins Love in unity.

Her simple heart's prepared to love,
With joy and freedom unconstrained;
Made pure and simple, like a dove,
Her offerings are not profaned.

The child-like heart's formed to hold
A kingdom's worth of Love's rich gold.


May Pure Wisdom Himself grant us the grace to allow our hearts to be transformed into child-like simplicity so that we may be made ready to receive and share the riches of His love.

(c) Paul Buis, 2003