Solemnity of the Holy Trinity
Cycle C
June 16, 2019
Saint Mary Parish, Pylesville 4pm
Saint Matthew Parish, Baltimore 11am
In the Image of God
This morning, I want to do something a bit different.
As we know, today in our Church we honor the Holy Trinity. For me and for all of us, the Trinity is a mystery of faith.
We accept God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit but we are not able to understand this fully. So, I am not going to try to give some abstract theological teaching about the Trinity.
I am sure that my effort would be very lacking and probably boring. Instead, this morning I want to focus on us and our own experience.
Here is what I have in mind. The Book of Genesis says that we are made in the image and likeness of God.
Just think about that. If we are made in the image and likeness of God, then there must be signs or traces of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit right within us and in our experience of living.
Here is what I have in mind. Try to reflect and look at yourself as I guide us in this.
The Father
First, let’s be aware of our desire to give life.
For many of us this desire gets fulfilled by bringing a child into the world. Or, as in my own case, we have this desire fulfilled by instilling the life of faith in others or by assisting others in living a full, happy or healthy life.
Also, think of the pleasure we have this time of year in bringing life from the earth by growing tomato plants or flowers. Think of the satisfaction we receive in being a shoulder for someone to cry on and eventually come out of grief or depression and back to life.
So, let’s be aware of experiences like these. They are signs of the presence of God, the creator, God the Father.
The Son
And then, let’s be aware of our thirst to restore.
There is something within you that wants to restore your marriage to the love it once had. There is something within us that wants to restore a friendship that has grown distant.
Also, if we are honest with ourselves, look at our need to forgive and our restlessness when we do not forgive. Or look at our lack of peace when we have not asked for forgiveness, even though we know that we should.
So, let’s also be aware of experiences like these. They are signs of the presence of God, of Jesus, God the Son.
The Holy Spirit
And last, let’s be aware of our passion for certain things.
Look at your passionate love for your husband or wife or children or close friend. Or look at our passionate care for victims of violence.
Also, notice how ardent our faith in God can be or how strong our commitment to the environment can be. Or notice whatever it is that we will skip a meal for or even die for.
So, let’s also be aware of experiences like these. These are signs of the presence of God, the Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
What I am saying boils down to this:
Let’s remember the basic revelation in the Bible about being made in God’s image and likeness. And with that, we can see that at least some of our human experiences confirm or even lead us to our belief in the Trinity – in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
