Let's simplify life

I find today's Gospel very helpful for several reasons. Jesus sends out his apostles to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He tells them to take nothing for the journey, just go as you are, without rucksack, bread, extra shirt or money (Luke 9:1-6). They are to concentrate totally on the task that Jesus gives them and not be concerned about other matters. The word that comes to me is ''uncluttered'' because often I find that my life is cluttered up with so different activites, possibilities and obligations that it is difficult to know where to start.The instructions of Jesus to the apostles are to simplify life so that we can see clearly the main thing that we feel called to do and be free to do it. In '''Laudato Si,'' Pope Francis urges us to act in the same way in caring for the earth. He says, ''the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our life style.'' (206). The high cost of living is causing many to seek a more sustainable way of life. It means going shopping with a list of the things we really need and not being tempted to fill up the supermarket trolley, avoiding the use of plastic, reducing water consumption, not wasting food. A great way to cooperate with the Creator is to plant vegetable seeds in our garden and to rejoice in the miracle as they germinate, grow and produce fresh food. ''Jesus, born on our earth, bring healing to our lives that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Praise to you. Amen.'' (part of final prayer of ''Laudato Si.'')