As an avid baker, few things are as rewarding as seeing reactions on the faces of my fellow epicureans when savoring scrumptious morsels from my kitchen. Even better than this is when I can respond, "It was super simple." Whether they know it or not, the foodie experiences more of me through the simplest recipes than from even the most time-consuming, technical, and elaborate recipes. Less stuff gets in the way. When they indulge in the decadence of a twenty five layer crepe cake it is easy to get lost in the aromatic St Germaine-infused cream that lingers gently within each and every one of those twenty-five layers, or to be enthralled with the golden caramelized sugar, creating the perfect crunch atop this delectable confection. And in an instant, it is gone, with only the vague memory of such flavors dancing around on the taste buds.
Now, contrast that with the simple peppery, meat-laden casatiello bread with an oozing over-easy egg. There is something about the art of making this bread. It truly becomes the work of the makers' hands. Chopping- kneading-rising-kneading-folding-rolling-rising-baking-EATING!. Very simple process with imprints the of maker.
Toast it, top it with an egg, and there is a SO-SIMPLE breakfast. But the maker is visible in every imperfection of the bread, in every uniquely-chopped cube of pancetta or sopressatta, in the texture of an egg that is cooked just right, and in ever grain of sea salt and ground pepper that is delicately sprinkled over top the egg. Bellisimo!
As I sat and pondered my new-found appreciation for simplicity, so began the musings of my (sometimes) over-complicated heart. Simplicity stems from humility. Simplicity reveals, while complexity conceals. Simplicity says, "I want you to know me for who I am." Complexity wants to be know for "What I can do." I would assert that complexity is rooted in pride. Simplicity expells all that is superfluous, while complexity "dumbs it down." One who feels compelled to dumb it down is aware of his achievements and, more dubiously, aware of others' shortcomings- little confidence exists in the other's ability to comprehend. There is room for growth in simplicity, while complexity becomes a rigid container.
And then there is Jesus, born into obscurity, in utter simplicity. What could have been more simple than his humble existence beginning with his birth in a cave and being laid in a feed trough. And the Eucharist... bread...wine... simple. Would I recognise the savior of the world if I were to consume something more beautiful than a simple piece of bread? Would I rather just gaze at it's beauty? The taste or bread- If the Eucharist tasted like apple pie, would I give thanks for having received the savior of the world or would I cast aside my savior for another serving of that American classic.The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, understands the art of simplicity. The savior of the world, the Son of God, who once walked this earth and now dwells in the blessed sacrament reveals himself in simplicity and He invites us on this journey of humility.
Lord,
I am restless in my sufferings, in my afflictions- How often do I ask you to take this cup from me! How often do I complicate things! It is easy to be humble when the You are pouring out blessings upon me, because I know I do not deserve any of it. But Lord, I am humbled by your faith in me to endure these afflictions. I am humbled that you give me this cross, but most of all, Lord, I humbled by the grace you give me to carry it.
- Amen
