Episode 2289: Spiritual Simplicity - Morning Episode

In today's episode, we will explore the themes of humility, total surrender to God's will, and the recognition of God's attributes in creation. These insights are drawn from the profound teachings of St. Barsanuphius, St. Alphonsus Liguori, and the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. Join us as we reflect on these powerful messages from a traditional Catholic perspective.
"Do not seek to be regarded as somebody, don't compare yourself to others in anything. Leave the world, mount the cross, discard all earthly things, shake the dust from off your feet." — St. Barsanuphius
St. Barsanuphius calls us to a radical humility and detachment from the world.
Humility and Self-Effacement: St. Barsanuphius emphasizes the importance of not seeking recognition or comparing ourselves to others. This aligns with the Catholic virtue of humility, which involves recognizing our true place before God and others, without pride or envy.
Detachment and Embracing the Cross: "Leave the world, mount the cross" signifies a call to detach from worldly desires and to embrace the sufferings and sacrifices that come with following Christ. This is reminiscent of Jesus' call to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23).
Spiritual Simplicity: "Discard all earthly things" and "shake the dust from off your feet" encourages a life of simplicity and freedom from materialism. This teaching resonates with the monastic tradition of asceticism, which seeks spiritual growth through simplicity and renunciation.
Application in Daily Life: Practically, this means prioritizing spiritual growth over worldly success, seeking God's approval rather than human praise, and finding contentment in living according to God’s will.
"He that sacrifices to God his property by alms-deeds, his honor by bearing insults, or his body by mortifications, by fasts and penitential rigours, offers to Him a part of himself and of what belongs to him; but he that sacrifices to God his will, by obedience, gives to Him all that he has, and can say: Lord, having given you my will, I have nothing more to give you." — St. Alphonsus Liguori
St. Alphonsus Liguori highlights the supreme value of surrendering our will to God.
Sacrifices of Property, Honor, and Body: St. Alphonsus acknowledges that giving alms, bearing insults, and practicing mortification are significant sacrifices. These acts are commendable and valuable in the eyes of God, as they involve giving up something of personal value.
Total Surrender of the Will: However, he elevates the sacrifice of our will through obedience as the highest form of offering. This means fully aligning our desires and decisions with God’s will, trusting in His divine plan, and relinquishing our own preferences and control.
Complete Giving: By surrendering our will, we give God everything we have. This total surrender is an act of profound faith and love, demonstrating our complete trust in God’s goodness and wisdom.
Application in Daily Life: This teaching invites us to practice obedience in our everyday lives—obeying God’s commandments, the teachings of the Church, and the legitimate authority of our spiritual leaders. It also involves discerning God’s will in our personal decisions and submitting to it, even when it challenges our own desires.
Scripture Reading: "Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made." — Romans 1:20a
Paul’s letter to the Romans reveals the presence of God in creation.
God’s Invisible Attributes: Paul teaches that God’s eternal power and divinity are evident in the natural world. From a Catholic perspective, creation is a manifestation of God’s greatness and an expression of His beauty, wisdom, and creativity.
Understanding and Perception: This scripture encourages us to contemplate the natural world as a way of understanding and perceiving God’s attributes. The beauty, complexity, and order of creation reflect the divine nature of its Creator.
The Call to Wonder: Recognizing God in creation fosters a sense of wonder and gratitude. It deepens our faith, as we see the fingerprints of God in the world around us, from the vastness of the universe to the intricate details of life.
Application in Daily Life: This calls us to spend time in nature, to reflect on the beauty of creation, and to see it as a constant reminder of God’s presence and power. It also challenges us to care for the environment as stewards of God’s creation.
Conclusion:
As we conclude today’s episode, let’s reflect on the lessons we've explored. St. Barsanuphius calls us to embrace humility and detachment from worldly pursuits, focusing instead on our spiritual journey. St. Alphonsus Liguori teaches us the supreme value of surrendering our will to God through obedience, offering Him the entirety of our being. The Apostle Paul invites us to perceive God’s eternal power and divinity in the beauty of creation, deepening our faith through contemplation and wonder.
In our daily lives, let us strive to practice these virtues, seeking humility, surrendering our will to God, and marveling at His creation. By doing so, we draw closer to God, living out our faith in profound and transformative ways.

Thank you for joining me this morning and may you find strength in humility, peace in surrender, and joy in the beauty of God’s creation. Until next time, may your journey be blessed with grace and your path illuminated by faith. God bless.