Today we observe Trinity Sunday. What we celebrate today is a divine relationship—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—one God, three divine persons. Understanding how this relationship works is more than we can comprehend. It has eluded the greatest theologians for 20 centuries. You may recall the story of St. Augustine watching a little boy digging a hole in the sand, and then running to the ocean, filling up his hands with the seawater, running back to the hole and emptying the water into the hole. Augustine observed the child going back and forth several times. Finally, Augustine said to the boy, “What are you doing?” The boy said, “Trying to fill that hole with the ocean.” Augustine said, “You’ll never fit the ocean in that hole.” The little boy said, “Neither will you be able to fit the Trinity into your mind.” However, understanding what this relationship means is fundamental.
We were not created to be solitary creatures. There was a popular hymn years ago that began with the phrase, “We are companions on the journey.” Through the Trinity, we have the potential to live in life-giving relationship to one another. It is our responsibility to “companion” one another. The Trinity challenges our propensity for individualism and the need to have our rights be met all the time. The Trinity counsels us to be mindful of our responsibilities to those around us in our families, our work places, our parish communities and our global community and, importantly, the Trinity guides us to live peacefully. Sadly, in our country, there is division where there should be unity, there is hostility where there should be understanding, and there is suspicion and mistrust where there should be trust and mutual respect. The media continuously bombards us with news of violence, hatred and racial injustice. Perhaps we have enmeshed ourselves in feelings of hopelessness?
Today’s Gospel begins with what is probably the most famous quote in the New Testament, John 3:16 – “God so loved the world that He gave his only Son.” Today we celebrate the nearness of the Triune God: God the Father who created and loves us, Jesus, the Son who saves us, and the Spirit who encourages and strengthens us. The Trinity is a community of love and we are invited to share in their community. In making the sign of the Cross, we not only invite them into our prayer but into our lives as well. Perhaps we can take a few moments this week to recall this special community of love that we are invited to share in.
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz, CSFN
