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“Peace is the tranquility of order” – St. Augustine

Sometimes we encounter definitions of everyday things in extraordinary ways. In the priest’s homily this past Sunday, the explanation of St. Augustine’s definition for tranquility created one of those powerful moments for me.

According to St. Augustine, “Peace is the tranquility of order.”

In his explanation the priest addressed that most of us believe tranquility occurs when everything stops, but that is exactly the opposite of what St. Augustine teaches. The priest’s example calm cooperation was that of the human body. The mind, lungs, heart, organs, and skin they are all working together even in our most restful moments. Even those moments we consider tranquil. Tranquility happens when everything is doing what it is supposed to be doing in that very moment resulting in peace.

Wow! What a powerful definition!

These were the exact words that I needed to hear Sunday morning as my prayer list seemed a little longer than usual.

Two days earlier my father-in-law Andy had open heart surgery and was struggling in his recovery. That explanation of how peace and cooperation can bring tranquility was the perfect inspiration driving my prayer for my father-in-law and myself. I prayed that God would bring tranquility to Andy’s heart and body so that he may heal quickly and peacefully.

For myself, I asked God to help me embrace each element of the chaos in my life as a piece of puzzle in my daily search for peace.

“Peace is the tranquility of order.”

It always seems that as the holidays approach we allow an extra aura of panic to take the place of the tranquility that we are seeking in the food, gifts, and celebrations. Today I encourage you to find peace in knowing that your busy schedule, the demands of school and work, and the crazy that comes with being loved are all cogs in the machine that can produce tranquility for you.

Find comfort in understanding that tranquility happens when you are doing what you are supposed to be doing in that very moment and that can most certainly lead to peace of mind.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Please continue with prayers for my father-in-law. He is improving but could use some extra energy to bring about that healthy tranquility.

P.P.S. Tranquility is like perfection; it can be exhausting to attain. Keep up with the crazy and you’ll find your perfectly tranquil moments.