SIMPLE40 - DAY 36 - Humble Simplicity
- Katie Donahue
- Mar 30
- 5 min read
Tuesday of Holy Week
Humility and simplicity are deeply intertwined virtues, each strengthening and refining the other as we continue walking this path of intentional, wholehearted living.
As we touched on yesterday, humility is the quiet recognition of our dependence on God. It is seeing clearly that all we have and all we are is pure gift. It invites us into right perspective, not making ourselves smaller than we are, but also not placing ourselves at the center.
In this space, there is a gentle freedom. We become more open to grace, more attentive to the goodness in others, and more willing to receive rather than grasp. Simplicity helps make room for this humility to take root. When we begin to let go of excess, whether in our thoughts, our words, or our attachments, we create space to notice what truly matters.
Together, these virtues steady us. They draw us away from the noise of pride and self-focus and lead us into a quieter, more grounded way of living.
In the heart of Holy Week, we look to Jesus as our model. He does not grasp at power or recognition, but instead chooses the hidden, humble path. He walks steadily toward the cross with surrender and trust. He resists nothing, reflecting profound simplicity. He shows us how to be anchored in the Father, free from the pull of worldly approval.
As we continue these days, we are invited to follow in that same rhythm. To walk with humility. To live with simplicity. To trust that in letting go, in becoming less, we are actually being drawn more deeply into the heart of God, and more fully into love of others.
Do you wish to rise?
Begin by descending.
You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first the foundation of humility.
~St. Augustine
spiritual Let’s learn from the saints and how they lived a life of humble simplicity, especially as we enter more deeply into the heart of Holy Week.
The saints did not strive for greatness in the way the world defines it. Instead, they rooted themselves in truth. They understood that humility is not thinking less of yourself, but living in the reality of who you are and whose you are. Beloved. Created. Called. Sent. Everything they had, they received as gift, and they responded with quiet surrender and trust.
This is the same invitation extended to us.
As we walk with Christ toward the cross, humility becomes a way of being. It softens our hearts, steadies our pace, and draws us closer to Him. It allows us to let go of striving and simply remain open, receptive, and willing.
Take a few minutes today to pause and reflect with this short video from Fr. Mike (about 4 minutes). Let it be a moment to reset, to return to truth, and to be reminded that holiness is found not in complexity, but in simple, faithful surrender.
self
When someone offers you a compliment, what is your first reaction? Do you instinctively deflect it or downplay it? Or are you able to simply receive it with a sincere, “Thank you”?
In this season of simplicity, we are invited to notice not just what we say, but how we say it. In his Lenten message, Pope Leo calls us to disarm our language...to speak with gentleness, clarity, and kindness. This includes the way we respond when someone affirms the good in us. A humble and kind response receives the gift without exaggeration or dismissal. It allows both the giver and the receiver to remain in truth.
Surprisingly, brushing off a compliment can actually be a subtle form of pride. When we say, “Oh, it was nothing,” we may think we are being humble, but we risk diminishing both the gift God has given us and the kindness someone else is offering. Instead, a simple “Thank you” honors the moment. It reflects a quiet confidence rooted not in self, but in gratitude.
Kindness also calls us to be intentional with our words toward others. To notice the good. To speak it aloud. To build up rather than tear down. When our language is disarmed...free from harshness, comparison, or self-protection...it becomes a place where humility and love can grow.
Thankfully, we are all gifted in different ways, and part of living simply is recognizing and celebrating that in one another.
So today, practice both receiving and giving with kindness. Accept a compliment with grace. Offer one with sincerity. And in a spirit of humility, thank God for something you are not good at.
(You can teach your children this, too by role-playing simple, kind responses and helping them grow comfortable receiving and offering encouragement.)
He must increase,
but I must decrease.
~John 3:30
service
There is a beautiful, often forgotten rhythm to these early days of Holy Week. In many Catholic homes, Monday through Wednesday were set aside for thorough, intentional cleaning, not simply as a practical task, but as a way of preparing both the home and the heart for the joy of Easter.
This tradition reflects the deeper invitation of the week: to make space. To clear out what is unnecessary. To ready ourselves, in simple and tangible ways, for the Resurrection.
Approach your work today in that spirit. Not rushed or burdensome, but steady and purposeful.
Consider choosing a few areas to tend to:
Deep clean the kitchen sink and counters
Sweep, mop, or vacuum the floors
Clean the windows and doors, letting in fresh light
Dust shelves, tables, and overlooked corners
Clean the bathrooms
Clear out and wipe down the refrigerator
As you work, keep your movements simple and your heart attentive. Let this be more than just cleaning, let it be a quiet preparation. A way of creating space for what truly matters.
Now…begin.
simple recipe INSTANT POT SPANISH RICE
It's Taco Tuesday! Today I'm sharing our favorite Spanish Rice recipe that comes together so quickly in the Instant Pot. It is great as a side or part of the filling for a loaded burrito!
2 T avocado oil
1 whole sweet onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups long grain white rice
3 cups veg or chicken broth
1 cup tomato sauce
1 can diced green chiles (small can)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp Emeril's southwest seasoning or taco seasoning
1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper(optional)
Directions
Heat oil in instant pot on "sauce". Add onion and garlic and saute for 3 min then add the rice and combine. Stir until rice starts to toast a bit. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Put lid on pot and hit the rice setting. Or, cook on low pressure for 7 min and check for doneness.
Holy Week Blessings to you!
Thank you for following along.
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