Nearly every preacher approaches the Solemnity of the Most
Holy Trinity with some trepidation, and I’m one of them. Lately
I’ve come to a more meaningful embrace of the Father, Son,
and Spirit, so permit me to share some of what I’ve come to
understand. The teaching of the Trinity has its share of
complexities: “one God, three Persons,” an “everlasting unity,”
and so forth. The truth defies logic, but the beauty of it paints
the story of our Christian lives: to know God as Father, Son,
and Spirit is to live in the landscape of an undying and
pervasive love that is given to us by The Three every day. To
put it another way, imagine having someone in your life who
loved you from the very beginning, showed you how to live life
abundantly, and walked beside you forever through every joy
and challenge. That’s God as a Trinity, and that’s what John’s
Gospel proclaims: “God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but
might have eternal life.” The Creator sent the Redeemer who
remains with us as Advocate – and they are one. Only God
could keep us fully alive and feeling loved in such a splendid
way.
The unity of the Trinity is paramount to our understanding of the
relationship of The Three. Together, as One, the Trinity
provides the gifts — and even the fire in our soul — that we need
to love God, follow His commandments, and love one another.
This gift of unity speaks to me when unity in families, in the
Church, and in our country, is compromised. Sometimes words
and actions reflect division more than a splendid unity. Saint
Paul calls us to right living in today’s second reading: “Brothers
and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another,
agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and
peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.”
Jesus has taught us over and over how to treat one another:
“love one another as I have loved you.” That was demonstrated
in parables like the Good Samaritan, in washing the feet of the
disciples, in embracing the leper, in healing, in giving us the gift
of peace. Jesus also taught us how to pray, and I always
believe that’s the best place to start. Our prayers will make a
powerful difference, so let’s pray for what we need: maybe it’s
healing, or understanding, or peace. No matter what it is, the
Trinity will hear us, heal us, understand us, and bring us peace.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
