Finding Solace in the Peace of Christ
Reflections on Don Dolindo Ruotolo's Prayer of Peace
In a world filled with chaos, stress, and uncertainty, the prayer "Peace" by Don Dolindo Ruotolo serves as a powerful reminder of the tranquility and serenity that can be found in Jesus Christ. This prayer encourages us to seek the peace that surpasses all understanding and to find rest in the presence of God. (Philippians 4:7).
The Call to Peace:
Don Dolindo Ruotolo begins his prayer by emphatically proclaiming, "Peace!" He recognizes the agitation and turmoil that often consume our lives and urges us to embrace the peace that Jesus offers. Just as Jesus greeted His apostles with "Peace be with you" after His resurrection, He desires to impart that same peace to our troubled hearts.
Goodness and Peace:
The prayer reminds us that goodness is intrinsically linked to peace. When we live in God, we experience a mystical peace that transcends the worries and anxieties of this world. In God's presence, we find tranquility, rest, and purposeful action without being burdened by the regrets of the past or the uncertainties of the future.
The Agitation of Evil:
Don Dolindo Ruotolo contrasts the peace of goodness with the agitation of evil. He identifies various forms of agitation that stem from sin and disorder. Impurity agitates the senses, pride agitates the mind and heart, anger agitates the nerves, envy agitates desire, avarice agitates greed, sloth agitates with aimless activity, and gluttony agitates the stomach. These agitations disrupt our inner peace and lead us away from God's presence.
Supernatural Peace:
The prayer emphasizes that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a supernatural elevation of the soul. When we embrace goodness and align ourselves with God's will, we experience a divine peace that surpasses human understanding. This peace brings comfort to our eyes that have shed tears, our ears that have heard harsh words, our mouths that have spoken with agitation, our hearts and nerves that have been troubled, and our thoughts that have led us to despair.
Resting in Jesus:
Don Dolindo reminds us that Jesus Himself is our peace and security. By turning to Him and resting in His presence, we can find solace amidst life's storms. Just as the rising sun clears away the fog, the light of Christ dispels the darkness and confusion in our lives. In His peace, we can operate with strength, effectiveness, and confidence.
The prayer "Peace" by Don Dolindo Ruotolo is a beautiful invitation to seek the peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ. By embracing goodness, rejecting the agitations of evil, and resting in the presence of God, we can experience a supernatural peace that transforms our lives. May this prayer inspire us to turn to Jesus in our moments of struggle and find the serenity and security that He alone can provide.
Peace!...
What's all this agitation? Peace, my child, peace, because Jesus is only peace!
Peace, peace, peace: this is what He wants to give you, this must be the environment of your life.
Shortly after the Resurrection, Jesus gave His Apostles peace: Pax vobis. They had been too agitated before...
Goodness is peace.
Goodness makes you live in God, in whom everything is mystical peace, all is tranquil rest, all is pure action, without worry about past and future... God... peace!
Evil is agitation:
impurity is the agitation of the senses;
pride is the agitation of the mind and heart;
anger is the agitation of the nerves;
envy is the agitation of desire;
avarice is agitation of greed;
even sloth is agitation... it's activity without subject, without order;
gluttony is the agitation of the stomach...
everything is the agitation of the soul, which wants, fears, reacts, fights!
Goodness is mysterious peace; supernatural elevation is divine peace...
Peace, my child, peace!
Peace to your eyes that have shed so many tears...
Peace to your ears that have heard so many harsh words…
Peace to your mouth that has spoken with so much agitation...
Peace to your heart, to your nerves...
Peace to your thoughts that in agitation have led you to despair...
Peace to your soul so it may have Faith and rest.
Peace is like the sun rising and clearing the fog...
Only in peace will you operate strongly, effectively, and with security.
Peace!...
Jesus is your peace,
Jesus is your security.
(from a writing by Father Dolindo).
If you would like to read more about Don Dolindo’s spirituality, check out this book: “Don Dolindo’s Spiritual Guidance”.