From Abandonment to Redemption: The Crucified Christ's Lament Echoed in a Soul's Journey
From Despair to Hope: Don Dolindo's Prayer of Psalm 21 (22)
In his profound commentary on the Book of Psalms, Don Dolindo Ruotolo offers readers a unique spiritual journey through the ancient biblical texts. His approach to Psalm 21 (22) is a testament to his deep faith and insightful understanding of scripture. Don Dolindo transforms the raw emotions and vivid imagery of the psalm into a heartfelt, personal prayer that speaks to the struggles of the human soul. Through his paraphrase, we witness a powerful dialogue between a repentant sinner and a merciful God, bringing new life and relevance to the ancient words. This commentary not only illuminates the psalm's themes of abandonment, despair, and ultimate hope in God's love, but also invites readers to engage with the text on a profoundly personal level, reflecting Don Dolindo's unique gift for making scripture accessible and deeply meaningful for contemporary spiritual seekers. As you read his paraphrase below, allow yourself to be drawn into this intimate conversation with Almighty God, experiencing the psalm's timeless message through Don Dolindo's inspired interpretation.
“My God, my God, why have You abandoned me? The voice of my crimes distances me from You, my salvation, because I am a sinner.
My God, I cry out during the day, but You are far from me; my God, I cry out at night, but I find no rest, because I cannot live through You! Yet You are alive and true in the Tabernacle of love, You, the glory of Your creatures, still call me, because You want to give me life. How many sinners like me have hoped in Your mercy and were not disappointed, have cried out to You and were set free! I too hope in You, merciful Lord; do not confound me, do not cast me away from You.
I am a worm, not a man; sin has made me a living disgrace and a reject of life. I am mocked by Satan who has defeated me, the world that has made me miserable sneers, those who led me to death shake their heads at me. If I try to shake off their yoke, they mock my piety, taunt my trust, and want me forever nailed to this cross of shame, so that I may die without hope.
Oh yes, You still love me, my God! You drew me from my mother's womb, my hope, from my mother's breast; I am entrusted to You, I am Your child and You are my Father and my God! Do not distance Yourself from me anymore, for I am completely troubled and devoid of any help.
To what state am I reduced, oh my God! The urges of passions surround me like unbridled young bulls, and the world's allurements besiege me like furious bulls; Satan roars like a lion and tears me apart, ravaging Your grace in my soul! I have dissolved like water, wasting away in a frivolous life; my heart has melted like wax at every sensual enticement, my vigor has dried up; I have become dry and unfeeling earth, my tongue sticks to my palate, it no longer speaks to You, my Father, it is inert!
I thirst for You, my God, I thirst, do not abandon me in my distress! I am besieged by furious dogs, by the wicked who have deprived me of You! I have no more freedom, my hands and feet are as if nailed, I do not hope for good, I do not walk in Your ways, my garment of grace is torn and my robe of righteousness is bartered away!
Do not distance Yourself from me, my God, come to my defense, free my soul, protect me, make me rise from my weakness! I ask for life from You, Crucified Lord, from You who have carried my iniquity and atoned for it; forgive me, do not cast me away from You, oh unfathomable abyss of forgiveness!
Give me the joy of praising You in Your Church, of participating ever more in her life, of spreading the glory of Your name among my brothers, of fulfilling the vows of my heart in the presence of those who love You. I will eat Your immaculate flesh and be satisfied; my heart will live through You, I will remember the love You have shown me and I will make You reign in me. I will repair the evil I have done, with zeal, and I will proclaim You to the generation being born. I will be entirely Yours, oh Lord, and though a small, despicable worm, I will grow wings and fly around the flame of Your love until I burn with love for You alone!”
[From Don Dolindo’s commentary on Psalm 21(22)].
If you would like to read more about Don Dolindo’s spirituality, check out this book: “Don Dolindo’s Spiritual Guidance”.