But it means at least that there is no limit to the vulnerability of God's love for us. It means at least that there is no limit to the effectiveness of love's vulnerability. If the cross and the resurrection of Jesus mean that there is no limit to the vulnerability of God's love for us and no limit to its effectiveness, then it's plain what the Christian community must be about. Let me point out that simplicity doesn't mean simplemindedness. Simplicity doesn't mean naive ignorance of life's complexity.
Life is complex.
That simplicity, suffused by vulnerability, is where the Christian life unfolds, repudiating any temptation towards spectacularity. May is right. Thirteen years ago Nouwen left Harvard and went to live and work at L'Arche, Jean Vanier's facility for men who are severely intellectually challenged. It does if it can resist, like its Lord, one more temptation, the temptation of domination. Jesus was taken to a vantage point from which he could apprehend at once all the powers and forces of this world.