Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Here are the readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 26, 2013:

Proverbs 8: 22-31
Psalm 8: 4-9
Romans 5: 1-5
John 16: 12-15

One of the deepest mysteries of our faith  concerns the nature of God. Christians are not polytheists-- we don't believe in many gods-- and somehow we believe that this ONE God is revealed to us as three persons. (Note to contemporary people: 'person' in theological language means something different than 'independent individual')  St Patrick famously used the example of a shamrock to teach the Irish how God can be Three-in-One. Other early Christians used various images to help us try to approach an idea of who and how God is.

Using a biblical image, St. Augustine (354-430) used the experience of fire to speak of the Trinity. He said, "Fire cannot burn without its brightness and its warmth." In this image fire represents the Father; the brightness of the fire shining into the world symbolizes Jesus Christ; and the warmth of the fire is the Holy Spirit, the love poured into our hearts. This image helps us to see that the Trinity is a very special way of speaking about the one God: God is beyond us, with us, and within us.

... Tertullian (2nd century) also described the triune God by using the image of a river. It has a source (Father), it flows outward (Christ) and it irrigates land and helps to bring forth vegetation (the Spirit).       (Catholic Update "Who is the Holy Spirit" June 1995)

While the Doctrine of the Trinity is important-- it truly IS a mystery--- a reality too big for words, but a reality nonetheless. Use the gift of this solemn feast to simply delight in the scriptures readings. Imagine how very deeply God- who is perfect and complete within God's Self- loves you! Trust in the promises of Jesus, and find comfort in the peace that comes through patient, enduring faith.  Relax and appreciate ALL that God has done for us all- in the gifts of creation, the forgiveness of sins, and empowering us for love and service. Much to celebrate, indeed!

The next Mystagogia session will be June 9.