livesimply: a new direction

Edith Anakua (foreground), from Luton North, originally from Nigeria

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CAFOD's Margaret Siberry makes a powerful personal reflection on the impact of Populorum Progressio, from 1967 to today's livesimply challenge

Once in a while you read something that touches you at gut level, that excites and disturbs you at the same time and you know that you’ll never be quite the same again.

A vision has been shared that is inspiring and compelling, a vision that resonates with something deep inside, which you know is right.

At the same time it disturbs you because, once you recognise the truth of the vision, you know you have to do something about it, and you realise that where you are right now is a long way from that vision.

Moment of deep significance

More remarkable still, you find others have been touched in the same way. It is a kairos moment, a moment of deep significance that ushers in a radically different understanding of the world and tells us we are called to play a part in bringing to birth a new reality.

Biblically speaking, such a moment is part of the process of transformation. Our life begins to take on a new direction. It has a new sense of purpose and we see a deeper meaning in all that we do.

That’s what I think happened to many of us when we first became immersed in the message of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Populorum Progressio (On the development of peoples) in the early seventies, and that’s what I sense is happening now, as people ‘catch on’ to the livesimply challenge in 2007.

Back in 1967, when the encyclical was written, there was a dynamic movement for change and a real sense that we were playing our part in the transformation of our world.

Our hope then was that the whole Church would become animated and energetic in its pursuit of justice. Coming in the wake of Vatican II, Populorum Progressio felt radically different in its tone, language and sense of urgency.

We realised that the Church was stepping onto the world stage, as the Pope urged us to work for justice and share in Christ’s ministry and mission.

We were challenged not only to share the gifts of creation but to identify and transform structures that keep people in poverty. In short, ‘reading the signs of the times’ in 1967 meant ‘having a preferential option for the poor’.

Profound effects

Through CAFOD and the Justice and Peace Network, both of which embraced Populorum Progressio’s key themes as their core values, the encyclical had a profound effect on the life of the Church in this country - and that is the effect we hope livesimply will have today. We want livesimply to:

• stir us up
• excite us
• challenge us
• disturb our complacency
• fill us with joy at the prodigal love of God which each day continues the work of creating a world for all to share
• kindle anew a fire for renewing the face of the earth
• and inspire us to take its message forward.

In short, we want livesimply to ignite in us a renewed passion for justice and an energy to work together on many levels.

In the first week of Lent 2007, forty years on from the publication of Populorum Progressio, I had the privilege of sharing the livesimply message with students at Notre Dame Sixth Form College in Leeds.

We watched the first part of ‘Louder than Words’, aDVD that shows young people all over the world tackling issues such as racism, violence, unjust trade rules, global warming, and HIV/Aids. The young prophets on the DVD are impressive.

Looking at the earnest faces of the students in Leeds and listening to their searching questions and comments made me realise how they are being formed to become leaders in our society.

It seemed fitting to encourage them to ‘let their greatness blossom’, as Nelson Mandela had urged people in 2005. These students had taken the livesimply message to their hearts and were a sign of great hope and encouragement.

The words of Archbishop Romero came to mind:

"We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities."

Profligate lifestyle

Despite all that has been accomplished in the last forty years, the students at Notre Dame recognised the importance of reading the signs of the times today.

Now, more than ever, we are acutely aware of the devastating consequences of our profligate lifestyle on climate change and therefore the world’s poorest people.

We know, too, the overwhelming problems caused by the spread of HIV and AIDS, and the urgent need to continue the campaign to change unjust trade rules, cancel debt and provide more and better aid.

In 2007 there is a deepening realisation that, in the "developed world", we are beset by an individualistic and consumerist ideology that purports to be able to satisfy our deepest desires, but which leaves us impoverished as human beings.

It is precisely at the deep, motivational, faith level that I believe the livesimply challenge can have its greatest impact - and especially with our young people.

Thomas More, the American spiritual writer, says that living simply is about the quality of your life, not just about what you do. It is a journey of the soul that you can’t make on your own.

The livesimply loaves and fishes symbol celebrates something fundamental. It signifies that whole-hearted and simple giving which begets a miracle of spontaneous and generous sharing.

When we appreciate that all is gift and are truly thankful for God’s abundant generosity, we are creating a space in our hearts from which we can share more easily.

We don’t have to cling on to ‘what’s mine’ and are much more ready to give of our time, our energy, our skills and talents, and not least of all, our wealth.

We begin to realise what is really important and of what we can let go. We come to a place of celebration, a place where relationships are valued and communities are built.

And if we involve ourselves locally in a community that has that deep sense of appreciation and awareness, we can’t fail but be aware of the wider, global community of which we are a part and to recognise how interconnected we all are.

This is one reason why the livesimply promises are asking people to join together in taking action. We do things more effectively when we do them together.

We learn from each other and can support each other when lifestyle choices seem a bit too challenging. Moreover, when we spend time in prayerful reflection on how God is calling us to live more simply, sustainably and in solidarity with people who are poor, our sense of justice spirituality is deepened and we discover more and more who we truly are in God.

Margaret Siberry is CAFOD Leeds diocesan manager

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Advent Appeal 2008 CAFOD Advent Appeal: Please send a message of support to kids this Advent at a special school run by a CAFOD partner

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