Thirsting for Peace through Recollection

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Praised be Jesus Christ!

Lately, a theme on my heart and in my prayer has been peace...not the peace that is the result of a smooth and easy time, but the peace rooted in God that exists regardless of what one's exterior circumstances look like.

This peace is the fruit of remaining always in God's presence through a habit of recollection.

So often, on days when we find ourselves struggling and frustrated, God can seem further away; virtue is harder to practice. By cultivating a deep sense of God's presence, I want to be able to take these challenging moments, and allow external things to remain simply that, while remaining at peace in my deepest center, where I cling to God.

When I was praying the Divine Office the other day, both morning prayer and evening prayer had so many references to this peace. As I encountered these, one after another, my understanding of the peace I long for was clarified and confirmed, and I learned what I must do to cultivate it...

"I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace, peace for His people and His friends, and those who turn to Him in their hearts." (Ps. 85)

I must turn often to Him in my heart, remembering His presence, and making frequent acts of love.

"A nation of firm purpose You keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in You...O Lord, You mete out peace to us, for it is You Who have accomplished all we have done." (Is. 26)

I must be persevering and consistent in my spiritual life; yet at the same time rest in the certainty that God will bring about the work of holiness in me beyond my deepest yearning.

"Those who put their trust in the Lord are like Mt. Zion, that cannot be shaken." (Ps. 125)

When my trust is in God, I will not find myself so easily disturbed by earthly things; I will remain in a deep peace because I am rooted in Him.

"Truly I have set my soul in silence and peace. As a child has rest in its mother's arms, even so my soul...Hope in the Lord." (Ps. 131)

Eventually this peace will be a natural state, but as a beginner, I must choose to rest in an interior silence and peace that does not allow difficulties to trouble me, but rather causes me to rest even more deeply in the arms of my God...

God calls all of us to this peace: "Peace I leave to you, My peace I give to you," He told us in His final hours before entering into His Passion. What a tremendous gift - to carry this quiet security within us, in the midst of the trials and uncertainties of this life. This peace, my friends, is the greatest secret of the saints; the greatest secret of those in reigious life who radiate such joy.

May we each dwell so deeply in His presence that nothing can steal this great gift from us.