June 15, 2014

SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY TRINITY

Jn 3: 16-18

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations

Into Relationship

Here’s a question linked to today’s readings for the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity: don’t most all of life’s challenges center in one way or another on our relationships? Sometimes it is relationship between persons who have to work together, but would really prefer not to. Sometimes it is a relationship within our homes. Sometimes it is a good friendship that sours...or even rekindles. When all is said and done it is our families and friends that give us life and then continue to glue that life together when these relationships become fragile, even torn.

Jesus says to Nicodemus in today’s gospel: “Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only son to save the world.” Our God, in a burst of great love for each of us, offers Jesus Christ to be in relationship with us in the Holy Spirit, as one in Trinity. Jesus thereby reveals something not only about God, but about being parents and children and families. Our lives really only click through intimate give-and-take, in day-to-day self-giving relationship one with another.

Thus today’s “Holy Trinity Fest” becomes for us a feast of wonderful possibility, a feast that encourages us to be co-creators with God of the lives and hopes, the fears and frustrations, the dreams and faith of the people and communities God gives to our care. For each of us, for our families and loved ones, for our wider world with all its messiness—may the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be strong in our hearts today and long into the future.

—The Jesuit Prayer Team

Prayer

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and always will be to the end of time. Amen.