The KISS Principle
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- Written by Rev. Ron Gagne, M.S.
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| Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a French writer, poet and pioneering aviator. |
Within the realm of faith, there are similar basic statements that can illuminate the purpose of our life with great but profound simplicity. Mother Teresa of Calcutta encourages us to be aware that when many people do good things, marvelous deeds can be accomplished. She said: “What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”
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| Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta was beatified by Pope John Paul II. |
In this fast-paced “24/7 news cycle world” of ours, we need to get a grip on the life that we share—why are we here; what are we for; how should we spend our life? Faith can certainly help us answer some of these questions.
From the book of Levitius (19:18) we hear about the Golden Rule: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This is also found in various forms in the literature of many other religions including Sikhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, and Confucianism. It seems to express well a basic of life.
Christianity also reveres this as part of the two great commandments: “The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12: 29-31)
We can wax on poetically, argue with all the philosophic ability we can muster but, faith-wise, these two great commandments carry within them the compass we need to live a good life on this earth, one day at a time.
Recently I read an article in a Catholic publication written by Rabbi Allen S. Maller of Encino, CA (“When Pragmatists Become Mystics”, Review for Religious, vol. 68.3 2009, pgs. 306-312). In it he speaks about practical wisdom and states that “One of the strengths of religion is that it prepares its adherents to deal with adversity from a larger perspective that ‘just my bad luck,’ self-pity, and resentment.” He gives samples of insights of Hassidic spiritual wisdom.
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| Abraham Lincoln, 16th President, was assassinated in 1865 |
Concerning looking for evidences of God, Rabbi Nachman said: “Seek the sacred within the ordinary. Seek the remarkable within the commonplace.”
Concerning personal worth, Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin taught: “What is the worst thing that Satan can accomplish? To make a person forget that he or she is a child of God.”
Another basic truth which can help us deal with the reality of life is from the great philosopher Socrates: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” Another expression of that same wisdom comes from President Abraham Lincoln who said: “Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” Similarly an old Irish proverb states: “Everyone is wise until he speaks.”
As we live each day, we should realize that this life we share is a true gift from God and should be lived to the full—to be enjoyed and not merely endured. The spiritual writer, Kahlil Gibran, prays to God saying, “Keep me from the wisdom that does not weep, and the philosophy that does not laugh, and the pride that does not bow its head before a child.”
And finally, a bit of wisdom attributed to the well-known Francis of Assisi who lived a simple life, rooted in faith:
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| St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order. |
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
These are some of the basics of life: keep it simple; do something good today; live for others;
love God, neighbor and self; believe and act on it; look at life with the eyes of God; see the sacred in the ordinary; know that the truly wise know what they don’t know; our life is meant to be enjoyed; and finally, be a peacemaker—always generous with others and grateful to God.
It is truly the task of a lifetime but, if we do keep it simple, it can be accomplished one person at a time, one day at a time.
