Word to the Wise
Sunday, May 22, 2016 - Trinity Sunday - C
[Prov 8:22-31; Rom 5:1-5; John 16:12-15]SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016. MOST HOLY TRINITY [Proverbs 8:22-31; Romans 5:1-5 and John 16:12-15] "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of Truth, he will guide you to all truth." [John] At parish missions, I like to ask the congregation how many times in their lives have they made the Sign of the Cross? I get some chuckles from the audience because it would be impossible to do for most of us. It is the most frequent "Catholic" gesture we make. If we remember to say the words that go with this prayer gesture, we make a profession of faith in the Holy Trinity. We begin formal Catholic prayer almost always with the Sign of the Cross. One of the earliest prayers we learn is the "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit - as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen." That is the truth about God but our understanding of this truth comes face to face with a mystery that defies human logic. It is better to accept it in love and faith. St. Augustine says, "It's not a lie but a mystery." It took centuries for the Church to find words to describe what had been believed for a long time, and those words are still too dense to understand without considerable philosophical background. Be all of that as it may, the reality of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit - three Persons but one God, is professed every time we say the creeds and touch that water and make the Sign of the Cross. This three-personed God made the world and loves us all. That will be enough for most of us. AMEN [Note to the Beloved Congregation. On this day 45 years ago, I was ordained a priest. I'm still working at it. Many thanks for your prayers!]
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
169 ms
4
