Solemnity of the Holy Trinity
Cycle A
June 11, 2017 11:00am
Saint Matthew Parish,
Baltimore
Spiritual Genetic Code
On
TV crime shows, we often see perpetrators identified by the DNA that is left on
the crime scene.
I
think that our police forces in real life solve some cases through DNA
identification. As we know, DNA is our
genetic code.
It
is the genetic instruction that identifies us as human beings and as unique, individual
persons. I got thinking about this as I
reflected on today’s celebration of the Holy Trinity.
We
believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God. So I am thinking that we must also have kind
of a spiritual DNA.
In
other words, God must have implanted within us certain elements that make us
like him. And that means that these
elements are indicators or even evidences of God as Father, Son and Holy
Spirit.
God the Father
For example, isn’t it true that we always want
something more or something other than what we have?
So, whatever kind of car we drive, don’t we start
noticing other cars that have more bells and whistles than our car has? Or, no matter how much money we make, don’t we
always want a bit more?
The idea is that we are often looking for something
other or something more than what we have.
And, of course, we think we will happy as soon as we have that.
This hunger for the other seems to be deep within
us. I suggest that it is part of our
spiritual genetic code.
And I believe that this hunger for the other is an indicator
of the Divine Other – the One who alone can really satisfy us. It is an evidence of God the Father.
God the Son
And then, isn’t it true that we all want to be loved and
to love?
For example, don’t we look for affirmation from those who
are close to us? And, on the other hand,
don’t we feel good when we have helped someone in need or given a gift to
someone special?
The idea is that deep down within us there is this hunger
to love and to be loved. I suggest that
this is also part of our spiritual genetic code.
This is why the words in today’s gospel really get our
attention: “God so loved the world that
he gave his only Son…” And in
another passage, the Scripture goes so far as to say: “God is love” itself.
So I believe that our hunger to love and to be loved is also
an indicator of God. It is an evidence
of God the Son.
God the Holy Spirit
And finally, isn’t it true that
we often want to be with others?
If a husband and wife are apart
because one of them is travelling, don’t they try to be “with” each other through
a text or email or phone call? When we
go to an Orioles game, don’t we usually invite someone to go with us?
Don’t we keep photos around the
house of our loved ones who have died?
Don’t we enjoy sharing a nice dinner with others?
The idea is that deep down
within us there is this hunger for relationship. I suggest that this is also part of our
spiritual genetic code.
And I believe that this hunger to
be with others is an indicator of God within us and drawing us to be in
relationship. It is an evidence of God
the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
So, maybe
this can be a way of approaching the Holy Trinity!
Maybe
we have a spiritual genetic code, something like our physical genetic
code. And maybe these deep down,
built-in hungers 1) for something other than what we have, 2) for loving and
being loved, and 3) for relationship with others – maybe these hungers are indicators
and even evidences of God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
