Don Dolindo on Life after Baptism
Ongoing Struggle, Sacramental Grace
Chapter 14 of the book of Numbers narrates the rebellion of the Israelites in the Old Testament. This event unfolded when the twelve spies returned from their exploration of the Promised Land. Despite God's promises and miracles in delivering them from slavery in Egypt, the people are afraid to enter the land after hearing an exaggerated report from the spies about fortified cities and strong warriors that would "devour" them (Numbers 13:32). Only Joshua and Caleb urge the people to trust in God's power, but they refuse to listen.
As punishment for their lack of faith, God condemns them to 40 years of wandering in the desert until the faithless generation dies off, declaring they shall never enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26-35). The people mourn this fate and arrogantly try to enter the land anyway, only to be routed by the Amalekites and Canaanites. Moses intercedes for their forgiveness, but the sentence remains.
In his 1929 commentary on this passage, Don Dolindo Ruotolo, a priest known for his humble yet profound spiritual wisdom, examines this story in light of the Church Fathers and applies it to spiritual life. He focuses on the journey from slavery to freedom and how baptized Christians must continue battling disordered desires and sinful tendencies within themselves. Don Dolindo's profound yet practical insights highlight the significance of relying on God's grace instead of our own strength in the enduring battle against our inner selves. His message reminds modern readers that with perseverance in prayer and by frequently receiving the sacraments, we too can move from slavery to sin toward the freedom of virtue.
In vivid poetic language, Don Dolindo traces the soul's journey from slavery to freedom: "Just as it happens to our souls: God draws us out of the slavery of sin and fights this first battle of ours with the gift of Baptism. In the midst of the healing waters He saves us, and in the midst of those waters He Himself drowns evil, making us victorious over Satan. Then He arms us, numbers us in His militia with Confirmation, and begins a second battle for us: the struggle against the old man, which we must sustain with the help of God, for the victory is not founded on our own strengths." Don Dolindo depicts God delivering us from sin's control through the waters of baptism, just as He parted the Red Sea to rescue the Israelites from Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:21-31). This first victory drowns evil and Satan's influence over us. However, Don Dolindo notes that the battle continues after baptism, comparing this to the Israelites still needing to fight enemies to claim the Promised Land.
Don Dolindo writes that confirmation arms and strengthens Christians for this "second battle" against the tendency toward sin within ourselves, what he terms "the old man." Though God guarantees the final victory, we must engage in this struggle to grow in holiness, aided by His grace. As St. Paul exhorted: "We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin....But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him" (Romans 6:6,8). Rather than return to the "slavery" of sin, we are called to embrace new life in Christ through ongoing conversion.
By interweaving scriptural allusions and rich metaphors, Don Dolindo emphasizes that while baptism frees us from sin, the human condition still contends with concupiscence. Divine grace enables us to battle disordered tendencies, but we must continually renounce "the old man" to walk in true freedom as new creations in Christ.
Don Dolindo cautions us that victory over "the old man" of sin does not rely on our own strength alone. Rather we must let the "mysterious Eucharistic cloud" - God's very presence - dwell within us (Exodus 40:34-38), strengthening us for the fight. When we rely on Christ's power, especially in the Eucharist and sacraments, like frequent Confession, we can conquer passions and sin. The grace of the sacraments aids us in doing battle against sinful tendencies. However, when we trust in ourselves and seek only personal satisfaction apart from God, sin overpowers us, and we risk spiritual failure. Don Dolindo eloquently said: “When the mysterious Eucharistic cloud gathers within us, the living God becomes our strength and guide, and then we easily overcome our passions; but if we focus on our desires, if we seek our own satisfaction, then the passions appear stronger than us, we regard the Christian life as unhappiness, we regard the slavery of sin, from which God freed us, as a relief, and we miserably fall into death, consumed in the desert of the world, withered on the arid sands that took away the life of our soul.”
Even after entering the waters of rebirth, Christians often wrestle with deep-seated drives toward fleeting pleasures, consuming ambitions, jealousy over others’ gifts, anger when denied, and a host of self-focused tendencies contrary to the Gospel. Grace moves us toward freedom, yet our fallen humanity harbors attractions toward shadows of sin’s slavery. Subtle pride, greed for possessions and status, envy of talents, impatience when obstructed, and disordered thirsts for sensuality and escape still arise. As part of the post-baptismal journey, we are called to illuminate these lurking sins through self-reflection and invite Christ’s healing.
Amid these post-baptismal struggles, regular confession of sin to a wise spiritual director or confessor illuminates and assists in overcoming areas requiring further conversion. By laying our interior battles in humility before Christ in the sacrament, we access His healing grace directly. A confessor can discern with objectivity, provide patient guidance, and support spiritual growth tailored to our unique battles and blindspots. Armed with self-understanding, prayer, scripture, and sacraments frequented regularly, we can cooperatively unmask sins seeking to subtly re-enslave us after baptism's enlightenment. Along with the Eucharist, Confession is an indispensable weapon and provision for combating “the old man.” As long as we make use of these sacramental channels of grace, we grow in freedom from slavery to sin.
Like the Israelites of the time of Moses, we may find the journey from slavery to freedom difficult, wanting to return to old sinful ways. But through regular spiritual nourishment in prayer, scripture, and the sacraments, we unite our struggles to Christ, leaving "the old man" of sin behind for true freedom as children of God. The battle is lifelong, but God's grace is sufficient if we humbly depend on Him rather than our own strength. By persevering with faith and hope, we can finally enter the eternal Promised Land of Heaven, where every tear is wiped away. There we will finally know sin's power no more as we dwell forever free in the home of our God.
So while the struggle continues, lifesaving grace propels us forward with hope. Our sights remain fixed on the glory awaiting all who faithfully fight the fight. Emboldened by the Holy Spirit, we march on toward the freedom only found in Christ Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, as we conclude our reflection on moving from slavery to freedom, we turn our hearts to you who perfectly model perseverance along the spiritual journey. You courageously followed your Son even through suffering and darkness to resurrection joy. Teach us childlike trust clinging to Jesus’ words: “Have confidence, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Help us to dwell in hope of final victory, as you did while pondering mysteries in your heart (Luke 2:19). When we grow weary, revive us by your example of praying constantly and singing praise amid trials (Acts 1:14; Luke 1:46-55). As we fix our eyes on Christ towards freedom’s horizon, may we imitate your obedience to God’s call relying on His provision of grace (Luke 1:38). Oh Mary, make haste to aid us as we seek refuge under your mantle. Draw us ever deeper into Christ’s saving love until we rest in Heaven eternally as saints freed from slavery to sin. Come, Lord Jesus! Maranatha! (Revelation 22:20). Amen.