Simplicity is Humility

True simplicity is humility. This has been shown by the Saints, including the Blessed Virgin Mary, her husband, St Joseph, and many more. Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ is our model par excellence when it comes to simplicity and humility. 

Simplicity and humility are very important virtues to possess because through these one acknowledges his or her being a mere creature of God, fully dependent upon His providence and truly grateful for the blessings and graces which he endows him or her. Being simple and humble means total surrender to the One who has made, saved and sanctified us, God. It is an acknowledgment of the fact that without Him we can do nothing [see John 15:1].

THE TAX COLLECTOR AND THE PHARISEE.
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Simplicity and humility are also very important especially with regards to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The sinner when approaching the Sacrament acknowledges his or her sinfulness, of his or her having offended God, of violating the eternal goodness and holiness and recognizing his or her failure to sustain to keep himself or herself from sinning. Through the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that only when a person humbles himself and simply asks God's forgiveness shall he be truly forgiven. There's no need to boast of one's accomplishments or compare one's self with others when asking God's forgiveness for it will even add to one's guilt [see Luke 18: 9-14].

Since the Lord Jesus Christ is a simple and humble Person, we also have to be simple and humble. It would be inconsistent to claim being His followers, brethren and friends, if we would not show simplicity and humility those who look for Him and try to find Him through us would fail to recognize the true Christ. They might even be misled into thinking that our Lord does not have integrity if we introduce Him as holy, simple and humble and yet we act sinfully, wanting and boastful. Remember Mahatma Gandhi's supposed statement, "I like Christ but I don't like Christians"? Christ said that it is through our love for one another that the world will know that we are His disciples [see John 13:35]. Part of our expression of Christian love is being simple and humble for these are virtues consistent with Him. 

Unless we truly conform to the Lord Jesus Christ, who lived simply and humbly, we cannot claim to be Christians at all. It is impossible to be a Christian and be a boastful and proud person. For the only thing we can boast about is the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ [see Galatians 6:14] which in fact is the ultimate manifestation of the Lord's supreme humility and ultimate simplicity [see Philippians 2: 6-11]. 

In a world where we are most often led to take pride in our accomplishments, simplicity and humility would seem negative characteristics. But for those who try each moment of their lives to conform to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to become true Christians, these virtues are significant steps closer to such a goal.