Episode 2516: The Path to Simplicity, Meekness, and Joy in God - Morning Episode

Welcome to today’s episode, where we will reflect on how drawing nearer to God brings simplicity, meekness, and a deeper joy into our lives. Our journey toward holiness often seems complicated, but as St. Teresa of Avila reminds us, “The closer one approaches to God, the simpler one becomes.” We will explore how this simplicity is not only a reflection of our trust in God, but also a key to finding peace amidst life’s challenges.
We will also look at the virtue of meekness, described by Matt Fradd as “spiritual and joyful.” Meekness isn’t weakness, but rather a powerful expression of even-temperedness, joy, and patience in the face of life’s worries. We will delve into how cultivating meekness helps us maintain peace in our hearts and communities.
Lastly, the words of the prophet Jeremiah will guide us to trust in God’s wisdom and providence: “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.” In this episode, we will discuss how to live out this call to simplicity, meekness, and trust in God, and how it leads to a profound joy that transcends the ups and downs of daily life.
Let us begin with a reflection on how simplicity is the natural fruit of growing closer to God.
St. Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church, speaks of a profound truth: “The closer one approaches to God, the simpler one becomes.” At first glance, this simplicity might seem elusive in a world that constantly demands more from us more activity, more productivity, more distractions. Yet, true simplicity is found in the interior life, in the quieting of our hearts as we draw nearer to God.
Simplicity in the spiritual life is not about minimizing responsibilities or avoiding life’s complexities. Rather, it’s about aligning our lives more closely with God’s will. The closer we get to God, the more we begin to see that many of the things we once worried about are unnecessary distractions. Our priorities shift. We come to realize that what truly matters is our relationship with Him.
This simplicity is reflected in the lives of the saints. When you look at their writings, their actions, and their words, you often see a clear, straightforward love for God. They aren’t caught up in the complexities of worldly matters; rather, their minds and hearts are focused on Christ. This is what we are called to in our daily lives letting go of the unnecessary burdens we place on ourselves and instead focusing on what God asks of us: to love Him, to love others, and to seek His will in all things.
Matt Fradd offers us an insight into how this simplicity can manifest in our behavior, especially through the virtue of meekness. He writes, “Meekness is spiritual; meekness is joy.” In a world that often associates meekness with weakness, it’s essential to remember that true meekness comes from strength. It is the strength to remain calm and peaceful even in the face of trials and difficulties.
Fradd goes on to explain that meekness is not about being passive or avoiding conflict, but about retaining an even temper and peace of heart, even when faced with life’s small problems. This virtue, he notes, is attractive and helps build a sense of community. Think about it—how often are we drawn to people who radiate peace and patience, even in stressful situations? These individuals exhibit the strength of meekness, and through their example, they invite others into that same peace.
Meekness is not just about controlling anger or avoiding confrontation. It’s a deeper spiritual joy that stems from knowing that God is in control. It allows us to face life’s difficulties without being overwhelmed by them. And when we cultivate meekness, we contribute to the peace and harmony of those around us.
We may think that simplicity and meekness are difficult virtues to practice in a fast-paced world, but the words of Scripture remind us that God is always ready to help us in our journey toward holiness. In Jeremiah 33:2-3, God speaks to us:
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.”
This passage is an invitation to trust in God’s wisdom and providence. When we call upon God, He reveals things we could never understand on our own. He gives us insight into His divine plan, and He shows us the way to live in simplicity and peace. This is the essence of our spiritual journey learning to rely on God more than ourselves. When we do this, the complexities of life become simpler, because we begin to see everything through the lens of His love and providence.
Living a life of simplicity and meekness does not mean that life will be without challenges. It means that we will have the grace to respond to those challenges with peace, patience, and trust. God has promised to reveal Himself to us if we call upon Him, and this promise gives us the courage to pursue these virtues, even when the world seems to pull us in the opposite direction.
As we strive to grow closer to God, let us remember that He is always seeking us, as St. Teresa of Avila reminds us, and that He desires to fill our lives with peace, joy, and simplicity. All we need to do is open our hearts to Him and trust that He will guide us.
Conclusion:
In today’s reflection, we’ve considered the wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila, who reminds us that approaching God leads to simplicity. We’ve explored the virtue of meekness as described by Matt Fradd how it brings spiritual joy and peace even in the face of life’s challenges. And we’ve reflected on the words of Jeremiah, who assures us that when we call upon God, He will answer and reveal to us great and hidden things.
As we go forth today, let us strive to live with simplicity and meekness, trusting in God’s providence and allowing Him to guide our hearts. The world may often feel complicated and burdensome, but when we turn to God, He simplifies our path and fills us with His peace.

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of Your love and the grace to draw near to You. Help us to live with simplicity, trusting that You will provide for all our needs. Teach us the virtue of meekness, that we may face life’s challenges with peace and patience, always reflecting Your love to those around us.
As we call upon You, O Lord, reveal to us the great and hidden things that lead us closer to You. May we never be overwhelmed by the complexities of life but always trust in Your wisdom and providence.
Through the intercession of St. Teresa of Avila, may we grow in simplicity. Through the example of Your Son, Jesus, may we cultivate meekness. And through Your Holy Spirit, may we be filled with the joy that comes from knowing You.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Our Lady of LaSalette Predictions
The priests who are the servants of my Son, with their own dissipated life and the greed of money will make possible the manifestation of the wrath of the Almighty. Priests and consecrated men remit my Son on the cross again. Because of the behavior of Earth's inhabitants will be called the wrath of the Father in Heaven.
The heads of state and people have forgotten the prayer and penance; the devil will be drawn from these stars become dark and full of errors. Humanity is on the eve of sad events and heavier punishments.
The representative of My Son, Pope Pius IX, after the year 1859 will not leave Rome more, will fight bravely with the weapons of faith and love. I will be with him. The Church will live a very deep crisis. It will be the time of darkness. The sacred faith in God will fall into oblivion, man without God lose love for all things and everyone wants to be chief of all the others. It will end with a crisis without violence and arrogance of any kind. He approaches this time you will only see the victory of empire of oppression and murder, hatred and lies, everyone will seek only their own selfish profit. There will be no love for his family and country. The Holy Father will suffer much. But I will be next to him and will welcome its sacrifices. The triumph of evil is not guaranteed forever (in fact act by Melanie Lecce these words: "I will reign for a long time").
The governments will all have the same temporal order, to break down the foundations of religious people and disperse to found materialism, spiritualism and atheism. France, Italy, Spain and England will enter into war. The French fight against the French and Italians against Italians. There will be a great war. God will not be honored in Italy and France, the Gospel will be completely forgotten. The evil comes in every home. Many large cities will be burned and nearly destroyed, others swallowed by earthquakes. All believe that the end has come. The righteous will suffer greatly, but their prayers and sacrifices scapegoats rights will rise raise to heaven, they implore my mercy and my aid will be granted to them. Then the mercy of my Son will command the angels to destroy the enemy in the world. Suddenly all the enemies of the Church of Jesus Christ will disappear and the Earth will become like a desert. After a slow start a new era in which men of the earth will arise to the true service of Christ. Peace, harmony between men and God and love for others will prevail over all. The new rulers will become the right arm of the Holy Church, which will really become the bearer of the virtues of Jesus Christ. The Gospel will be preached everywhere and men will make great strides towards the true faith, because there will be unity among the followers of Christ and men will live the fruits of God that peace and harmony among men, however, will not last long, you forget that the sins of the world are the source of all the punishments that fall to Earth. A forerunner of the Antichrist will be found and will be seen as the new God.
The seasons will change, even the atmosphere, water and fire will cause terrible destruction and large earthquakes, mountains and cities will fall. The stars and the moon will no longer have the strength to shine. Rome will lose the faith and become the seat of the Antichrist.
The demons of the air in the air and produce miraculous phenomena on Earth. The men will become worse and worse. But God will always of his most faithful servants and men of good will. The Gospel will be preached everywhere, that all peoples and all nations will know the truth of God he can call the apostles of recent times, the faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, who has led a life of humility and courage, deprivation, and in contemplation silence, in prayer and atonement, in union with God and divine things. I can call them that have lived immersed in suffering and hidden from the world. There will come a time when they will appear to fill the world with light. Then I tell them, 'Go and show my children! I will be with you and in you, the children of light Fight for the glory of God and Jesus Christ."
"The Savior of the world", as we will call the prince of darkness, emerge from the abyss that opened in the earth. He wants to raise superb in the air and reach toward the sky. But know the breath of the Archangel Michael and it will be stifled. Will fall to Earth and will be sucked forever into the eternal abyss of hell with his associates. Then water and fire will purify the Earth and everything will be renewed. Only then God will be served and honored."