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The Lord loves simplicity. Even the vast universe only appears complex. It all comes down to a handful of very simple patterns, relationships, and structures repeated over and over again.

Medieval scholars understood this. A Franciscan Friar, William of Occam, is remembered for his passion for the principle of simplicity. The principle, Occam’s Razor holds up the notion that the best explanation for any phenomenon is one that cuts away extraneous ideas – like a razor that cuts away the unnecessary parts.

In Latin: Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem, which translates to: “Entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity.”

In other words, if you have two theories that explain something – go with the simpler of the two.

Faith is simplicity applied. The Ten Commandments express the Love (of God and neighbor) as Five Root Values -- Value above all else:

1. People
2. Commitment
3. Autonomy
4. Truth
5. Legacy

The Lord made love very simple. We make love complex.

Complexity allows us to avoid the responsibility love entails. We feel justified in avoidance if we can claim ignorance. But faith is simple.

Jesus died on the cross.

1. It demonstrates how much he values you.
2. He is committed to your salvation.
3. He freely chose this ultimate expression of love.
4. It reveals the truth of the power of life over death.
5. In honors of the legacy of God’s covenant of blessing.

In response to Jesus’ death on the cross, he calls us to,

1. Value people more than things.
2. Commit ourselves to the support of one another.
3. Respect the freedom (autonomy) of others.
4. Speak the truth in love to one another.
5. Honor the legacy of the covenant of in sharing God’s blessing with others.

Jesus kept it simple. It all comes down to the love of God expressed in our willingness to love one another.

When we take our eyes off the simplicity of the cross, we are thrown into spiritual confusion. We begin to perceive our lives as lost in a tangle of complexity and complication without resolution.

When the truth is very simple: The Lord created you for love.

Occam’s razor will cut away the rest: Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem.

Keep it Simple Sweetheart.