A COMPLEX MYSTERY
(A biblical refection on THE HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY, 26th of May 2013)
Gospel Reading: John 16:12-15
First Reading: Prov 8:22-31; Psalms: Ps 8:4-9; Second Reading: Rom 5:1-5
The Scripture Text
“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (Jn 16:12-15 RSV)
The TRINITY is a complex mystery. Who among us will ever be able to unravel the intricacies of a God who is both One and yet three divine Persons? And Yet the Trinity is the central tenet of our faith. Our very existence is bound up with this mysterious, triune God. So here’s the greatest of all mysteries relating to the Trinity: How can anyone really experience a loving relationship with someone they can barely fathom?
It appears that even after living with Jesus for three whole years, the apostles weren’t in any better position than we are. At the Last Supper, after Jesus had told them that He was the way to the Father, Thomas said: “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5). Then Philip chimed in: “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied” (Jn 14:8).
No matter how much they loved Jesus, the apostles ended up admitting: “We do not know what He means” (Jn 16:18). And isn’t that very encouraging? Like the apostles, we may know precious little about God and His nature and His ways, but our lack of understanding does not have to keep us from experiencing His love, grace, and power to our lives.
This is the very reason why Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit: so that He could bring us into the heart of the triune God (Jn 16:15). It is the Holy Spirit’s deepest desire to flood our hearts with the Father’s love and with the mercy and power of His risen Son. As we become caught up in this love, we cannot help but begin to understand God a little bit more. And that little bit of understanding moves us to want to become more like Him. May we never underestimate what God can do for those who love Him and seek Him!
Prayer: Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant us in our misery that we may do for Your sake alone what we know you want us to do, and always want what pleases You; so that, cleansed and enlightened interiorly and fired with the ardour of the Holy Spirit, we may be able to follow in the footsteps of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and so make our way to You, Most High, by Your grace alone, You who live and reign in perfect Trinity and simple Unity, and are glorified, God all-powerful, for ever and ever. Amen. [St. Francis of Assisi]