Simple Joys Are Holy

Written by Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

We start the year with a list of resolutions, ways that we intend to be better people in this next year. I have a friend who was so frustrated at this time of year because his favorite gym was filled with what he called “resoluters.” They were people who had made a New Year’s resolution to go to the gym and get fit and healthy. They were on “his” machines, in “his” locker room, using “his” towels, and generally being in “his” space. He knew they would stay  for a few weeks and then disappear. His countdown to freedom from those who thought they’d accomplish something huge started the first week of the year.

Maybe our resolutions don’t have to be grandiose. If we set our sights on a few things that we have prayerfully considered, that is a good plan. Helen Keller said, “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” It doesn’t have to be a monumental change. In the 1980s, a film about St. Francis captured my attention. Brother Sun, Sister Moon told the life of St. Francis, as directed by Franco Zefferilli, who made the film in in 1972. It was a little hokey and flowery, and not completely accurate. But, I loved it! A song that played while Francis and his brothers worked on rebuilding the tiny church of San Damiano, stuck with me. Some of the lyrics include: “Do few things but do them well. Simple joys are holy.” Here in the second week of 2024, we may already have abandoned those momentous resolutions we made. Take a look again at the list. Let’s accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. Let’s do few things but do them well. Simple joys are holy!

Blessed Angela: “Don’t worry about yourself nor o what will happen to you; submit yourself to God’s will without reservation and you will merit His blessing.”