Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Year C)
Homily by Michael P. Sullivan, O.S.A.Prv 8:22 31
Ps 8:4 5, 6 7, 8 9
Rom 5:1 5
Jn 16:12 15
One of the greatest mysteries of our faith is that of the Trinity. In studying theology, I remember the professor telling us that the most difficult concept of faith to preach about was the Trinity. It has always been and will be a concept we accept on faith. This September I will celebrate forty years of ordination, and the mystery remains just a little less obscure.
No man, now woman is an island unto themselves. We are all called to be people of, and open to, relationships. God is persons in relationship. Even though there are three persons, their community of love causes unity and one Godhead. To the extent that we are open in our lives to building community we reflect the Triune God. As youngsters, many of us were taught that we were created in the image and likeness of God. A puzzlement, to be sure, since we all do not look alike. God is persons in relationship, and to the extent that we are open to relationships, we image God, who is relationship itself.
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now,” Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. “The Spirit of Truth will guide you to all truth.” On Pentecost, we celebrated the indwelling of the Spirit, not only in the infant Church but in our own lives today. If we are open to the Spirit, then the Trinity lives within us and we reach out and are open to others. Our God is not a solitary being but a community of love, and we are invited to become intimate in that communion of light and love.
St. Augustine talks about the Lover, the Love, and Love Itself. We are called to imitate the Trinity in Being Self-giving, as is the Lover in surrendering to the relationship, as is the Loved in enfleshing God who is love itself.
The most immediate community of love for us is our families. As we celebrate this Trinity Sunday, Let us reflect whether we as a member of that community foster life-giving relations that contribute to the creation of a community of love. Glory be to the father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.