June 16, 2026 • 11 mins
In this meditation, Msgr. Fred Dolan reflects on the anxieties and distractions that often disturb our peace. Through the Gospel account of Jesus calming the storm, we are reminded that true security comes not from controlling our circumstances, but from trusting in Our Lord who remains with us in every trial.
Msgr. Dolan invites us to slow down, focus on what is truly important, and develop habits of prayer and recollection that help us remain calm in the midst of life's challenges.
Listen and reflect on:
- Facing anxiety with faith
- The importance of a Plan of Life
- Remaining present in daily life
- Finding peace amid distractions
- Trusting Christ in difficult moments
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:10):
My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that you are
here, that you see me, that youhear me.
I adore you with profoundreverence.
I ask your pardon for my sinsand the grace to make this time
of prayer fruitful.
(00:31):
My Immaculate Mother, SaintJoseph, my Father and Lord, my
guardian angel, intercede forme.
Jesus, we love learning fromyour parables.
Some of the parables come to usnot so much in the form of a
story, but rather through anepisode in your life with the
(00:54):
apostles.
That is certainly the case inthe gospel passage that we read
in today's Mass.
On that day as evening drewnear, Jesus said to his
disciples, Let us cross to theother side.
Leaving the crowd, they tookJesus with them in the boat,
(01:16):
just as he was.
We can imagine Jesus thinking,These dear friends of mine are
ready for the next lesson.
He needed to prepare theapostles for what was to come.
And so on this evening, he gavethem a master class to etch
(01:37):
indelibly into their psyche thefact that God is completely in
charge despite the appearances.
Well, here's what happened, aswe know so well.
As they were crossing the Sea ofGalilee, a violent squall came
up, and waves were breaking overthe boat, so that it was already
filling up.
(01:58):
In the meantime, Jesus was inthe stern asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,Teacher, do you not care that we
are perishing?
He woke up, rebuked the wind,and said to the sea, Quiet, be
still.
The wind ceased, and there wasgreat calm.
(02:21):
Then he asked them, Why are youterrified?
Do you not yet have faith?
They were filled with great aweand said to one another, Who is
this?
Whom even the wind and sea obey?
We too have a deep need for thismaster class.
(02:41):
Often, all too often, we findourselves perplexed because of
all the difficulties challengingus.
Even during this time of prayer,this conversation with you,
Jesus, this or that source ofanxiety will come to mind,
begging for us to talk with youabout it.
(03:04):
Many years ago, Saint Josemariawrote this very important point
in the way.
It is necessary to be convincedthat God is always near us.
Too often we live as though ourLord were somewhere far off,
where the stars shine.
(03:24):
We fail to realize that he isalso by our side always, for he
is a loving father.
We have to be completelyconvinced that our Lord who is
close to us and in heaven is aFather and very much our Father.
Our closeness to Jesus, to you,Lord, will change everything
(03:48):
when it comes time to grapplewith difficulties.
unknown (03:53):
St.
SPEAKER_00 (03:53):
John of the Cross, that great follower of Teresa of
Avila in the 16th century, heknew that loving confidence in
Providence was the appropriateresponse to life's worries and
anxieties.
John of the Cross had awonderful image.
(04:15):
He observed that when God, likea loving mother, really wants to
carry us, we kick and cry andinsist on walking by ourselves,
and we get nowhere, and mostlikely fall flat on our face.
As the apostles werefloundering, perishing out there
(04:36):
in the midst of the Sea ofGalilee, they would have done
anything to find themselves onfirm ground.
Well, we too, in the midst ofour everyday, we need that firm
ground, we need to be firmlygrounded.
And that means developing thecapacity to be really present in
(05:00):
whichever situation we findourselves without allowing
distraction.
One of my favorite authors isDietrich von Hildebrand.
He always explains things in away that might strike us as
unnecessarily complicated, butalways deep.
(05:21):
For example, speaking of thisfirm ground, here's how he puts
it.
To ordain our daily livesaccording to some definite rule
constitutes a further method inthe service of our inner
transformation.
That definite rule, we couldcall it the plan of life, it
(05:42):
pervades life with a certainrhythm of composure and
continuity, which makes iteasier for us to collect
ourselves.
And that plan of life, thatdefinite rule, protects us from
becoming absorbed by thesuccession of varying events and
impressions that so easilyinterfere with our concentration
(06:05):
upon what is really essential.
What a beautiful phrase.
Our life must be imbued with acertain rhythm of composure,
continuity, being able to focuson what is really essential,
rather than being dispersed,always being in a hurry, being
(06:26):
filled with anxiety.
I recently came across a friendreturning from work.
It was obvious that he wasrather agitated.
He is an optician.
Why was he upset?
Earlier that day, verypeacefully attending to a
client, all of a sudden the doorburst open, and someone came in
(06:50):
oblivious to the fact that shewas not next in line.
She explained to everyonepresent that she was double
parked and she absolutely neededto be attended to immediately.
You can imagine theconsternation, agitation, just
the bad vibrations that such anoutburst created.
(07:12):
What we're looking for is theexact opposite, this rhythm of
composure, continuity, focusingon the essentials.
Well, back in the early 30s, St.
Josemaria talked about the samething.
That other great point in theway where he says calmness,
peace, an intense life withinyou, without rushing around,
(07:35):
there, in the place that lifehas assigned to you.
Like a powerful generator ofspiritual electricity, you will
give light and energy to so manywithout losing your own vigor
and light.
There is another possible enemyof our peace, of our calmness.
And that enemy is not beingcontent with whatever it is,
(07:59):
wherever it is that we have beenplaced, whatever it is that we
should be doing.
There's an incredible scene inWar and Peace.
And it's about the young15-year-old Petia, P-E-T-Y-A.
Here's a young boy reallyexcited about participating in
the war.
Here's how Tolstoy puts it.
Petia had been in a continualstate of happy excitement at
(08:23):
being grown up and of intenseanxiety not to miss any
opportunity of real heroism.
He was highly delighted with allhe had seen and experienced in
the army.
But at the same time, he wasalways imagining that wherever
he was not, there, the most realand heroic exploits were at that
(08:48):
very moment being performed.
And he was in constant haste tobe wherever he was not.
Well that's the recipe for beingfrantic, out of control.
We ask you, Jesus, to never everlet us get into that kind of a
mindset.
(09:09):
A final point that can help us alot is thinking about those
moments when we could be anxiousand really not exactly sure why.
Well, one very insightful authorputs it this way.
If you are anxious aboutsomething and it's getting in
your way, take what you'reanxious about and define it.
(09:32):
Because that already delimitsit.
One of the problems with beinganxious about something is that
you won't speak of it.
It's like Voldemort of HarryPotter fame.
And then, if you don't speakabout it, it becomes way bigger
than it should be.
But as soon as you startspeaking about it, you have cut
(09:54):
it down to size.
You're not as afraid of as manythings as you think, and you are
braver than you know, and morecapable.
So as soon as you are braveenough to start talking about
what you are afraid of, you willsee that there is more to you
than you thought, and that thereis less to the problem than you
(10:16):
thought.
And then you can deconstructthat big problem into smaller
problems, and then figure outhow to approach those smaller
problems.
Well, Mary, we have beenconsidering a number of aspects
of our life in your presence.
(10:36):
Looking at you, talking withyou, reminds us you want us to
be at peace.
Your son gave us his peace, thatvery precious gift.
Help us to do whatever, to holdon to that peace, and to never
ever let go of it.
(10:57):
I thank you, my God, for thegood resolutions, affections,
and inspirations that you havecommunicated to me in this
meditation.
I ask your help in putting theminto effect.
My Immaculate Mother, SaintJoseph, my father and Lord, my
guardian angel, intercede forme.
My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that you are
here, that you see me, that youhear me.
I adore you with profoundreverence.
I ask your pardon for my sinsand the grace to make this time
of prayer fruitful.
(00:31):
My Immaculate Mother, SaintJoseph, my Father and Lord, my
guardian angel, intercede forme.
Jesus, we love learning fromyour parables.
Some of the parables come to usnot so much in the form of a
story, but rather through anepisode in your life with the
(00:54):
apostles.
That is certainly the case inthe gospel passage that we read
in today's Mass.
On that day as evening drewnear, Jesus said to his
disciples, Let us cross to theother side.
Leaving the crowd, they tookJesus with them in the boat,
(01:16):
just as he was.
We can imagine Jesus thinking,These dear friends of mine are
ready for the next lesson.
He needed to prepare theapostles for what was to come.
And so on this evening, he gavethem a master class to etch
(01:37):
indelibly into their psyche thefact that God is completely in
charge despite the appearances.
Well, here's what happened, aswe know so well.
As they were crossing the Sea ofGalilee, a violent squall came
up, and waves were breaking overthe boat, so that it was already
filling up.
(01:58):
In the meantime, Jesus was inthe stern asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,Teacher, do you not care that we
are perishing?
He woke up, rebuked the wind,and said to the sea, Quiet, be
still.
The wind ceased, and there wasgreat calm.
(02:21):
Then he asked them, Why are youterrified?
Do you not yet have faith?
They were filled with great aweand said to one another, Who is
this?
Whom even the wind and sea obey?
We too have a deep need for thismaster class.
(02:41):
Often, all too often, we findourselves perplexed because of
all the difficulties challengingus.
Even during this time of prayer,this conversation with you,
Jesus, this or that source ofanxiety will come to mind,
begging for us to talk with youabout it.
(03:04):
Many years ago, Saint Josemariawrote this very important point
in the way.
It is necessary to be convincedthat God is always near us.
Too often we live as though ourLord were somewhere far off,
where the stars shine.
(03:24):
We fail to realize that he isalso by our side always, for he
is a loving father.
We have to be completelyconvinced that our Lord who is
close to us and in heaven is aFather and very much our Father.
Our closeness to Jesus, to you,Lord, will change everything
(03:48):
when it comes time to grapplewith difficulties.
unknown (03:53):
St.
SPEAKER_00 (03:53):
John of the Cross, that great follower of Teresa of
Avila in the 16th century, heknew that loving confidence in
Providence was the appropriateresponse to life's worries and
anxieties.
John of the Cross had awonderful image.
(04:15):
He observed that when God, likea loving mother, really wants to
carry us, we kick and cry andinsist on walking by ourselves,
and we get nowhere, and mostlikely fall flat on our face.
As the apostles werefloundering, perishing out there
(04:36):
in the midst of the Sea ofGalilee, they would have done
anything to find themselves onfirm ground.
Well, we too, in the midst ofour everyday, we need that firm
ground, we need to be firmlygrounded.
And that means developing thecapacity to be really present in
(05:00):
whichever situation we findourselves without allowing
distraction.
One of my favorite authors isDietrich von Hildebrand.
He always explains things in away that might strike us as
unnecessarily complicated, butalways deep.
(05:21):
For example, speaking of thisfirm ground, here's how he puts
it.
To ordain our daily livesaccording to some definite rule
constitutes a further method inthe service of our inner
transformation.
That definite rule, we couldcall it the plan of life, it
(05:42):
pervades life with a certainrhythm of composure and
continuity, which makes iteasier for us to collect
ourselves.
And that plan of life, thatdefinite rule, protects us from
becoming absorbed by thesuccession of varying events and
impressions that so easilyinterfere with our concentration
(06:05):
upon what is really essential.
What a beautiful phrase.
Our life must be imbued with acertain rhythm of composure,
continuity, being able to focuson what is really essential,
rather than being dispersed,always being in a hurry, being
(06:26):
filled with anxiety.
I recently came across a friendreturning from work.
It was obvious that he wasrather agitated.
He is an optician.
Why was he upset?
Earlier that day, verypeacefully attending to a
client, all of a sudden the doorburst open, and someone came in
(06:50):
oblivious to the fact that shewas not next in line.
She explained to everyonepresent that she was double
parked and she absolutely neededto be attended to immediately.
You can imagine theconsternation, agitation, just
the bad vibrations that such anoutburst created.
(07:12):
What we're looking for is theexact opposite, this rhythm of
composure, continuity, focusingon the essentials.
Well, back in the early 30s, St.
Josemaria talked about the samething.
That other great point in theway where he says calmness,
peace, an intense life withinyou, without rushing around,
(07:35):
there, in the place that lifehas assigned to you.
Like a powerful generator ofspiritual electricity, you will
give light and energy to so manywithout losing your own vigor
and light.
There is another possible enemyof our peace, of our calmness.
And that enemy is not beingcontent with whatever it is,
(07:59):
wherever it is that we have beenplaced, whatever it is that we
should be doing.
There's an incredible scene inWar and Peace.
And it's about the young15-year-old Petia, P-E-T-Y-A.
Here's a young boy reallyexcited about participating in
the war.
Here's how Tolstoy puts it.
Petia had been in a continualstate of happy excitement at
(08:23):
being grown up and of intenseanxiety not to miss any
opportunity of real heroism.
He was highly delighted with allhe had seen and experienced in
the army.
But at the same time, he wasalways imagining that wherever
he was not, there, the most realand heroic exploits were at that
(08:48):
very moment being performed.
And he was in constant haste tobe wherever he was not.
Well that's the recipe for beingfrantic, out of control.
We ask you, Jesus, to never everlet us get into that kind of a
mindset.
(09:09):
A final point that can help us alot is thinking about those
moments when we could be anxiousand really not exactly sure why.
Well, one very insightful authorputs it this way.
If you are anxious aboutsomething and it's getting in
your way, take what you'reanxious about and define it.
(09:32):
Because that already delimitsit.
One of the problems with beinganxious about something is that
you won't speak of it.
It's like Voldemort of HarryPotter fame.
And then, if you don't speakabout it, it becomes way bigger
than it should be.
But as soon as you startspeaking about it, you have cut
(09:54):
it down to size.
You're not as afraid of as manythings as you think, and you are
braver than you know, and morecapable.
So as soon as you are braveenough to start talking about
what you are afraid of, you willsee that there is more to you
than you thought, and that thereis less to the problem than you
(10:16):
thought.
And then you can deconstructthat big problem into smaller
problems, and then figure outhow to approach those smaller
problems.
Well, Mary, we have beenconsidering a number of aspects
of our life in your presence.
(10:36):
Looking at you, talking withyou, reminds us you want us to
be at peace.
Your son gave us his peace, thatvery precious gift.
Help us to do whatever, to holdon to that peace, and to never
ever let go of it.
(10:57):
I thank you, my God, for thegood resolutions, affections,
and inspirations that you havecommunicated to me in this
meditation.
I ask your help in putting theminto effect.
My Immaculate Mother, SaintJoseph, my father and Lord, my
guardian angel, intercede forme.
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