Solemnity of the Holy Trinity
Cycle A
June 15, 2014 4:00 and 5:30pm
Saint Margaret Parish,
Bel Air
Our Genetic Code
I
am sure we all know something about DNA.
The
crime shows on TV often identify perpetrators by the DNA that is left on the crime
scene. I think our police forces in real
life do the same thing.
DNA
is our genetic code. It is the genetic
instruction that makes us who we are as human beings and as individuals.
As
I understand it, in our genetic code, there are certain elements that are common
to all of us – about 99% of the genetic code.
And then there other elements that are absolutely unique to each person.
Well,
I got thinking about this as I reflected on today’s celebration of the Holy
Trinity. My idea is that maybe we have a
spiritual genetic code and there are certain elements built into us that are
evidences of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God the Father
First, isn’t it true that we always want something
other than what we have?
Like, whatever kind of car we drive, don’t we start
noticing other cars and think about owning something that is newer or that looks
better? Or, if we live here in Bel Air,
don’t we sometimes wish we could be in Florida?
And if we are vacationing in Ocean City or at Deep
Creek Lake, don’t we sometimes find ourselves saying that it will be good to
get home? The idea is that we are always
looking for something other than what we have.
This hunger for the other is deep within us. It is part of our spiritual genetic code.
I believe it is an evidence of the Divine Other who
alone will really satisfy us. This
hunger is 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 you look for affection from your spouse
or for affirmation from a parent? And,
on the other hand, don’t we feel fulfilled 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. It 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.”
I believe our hunger to love and to be loved is an
evidence of God who is love and has loved fully in Jesus. This hunger is evidence of God the Son.
God the Holy Spirit
And finally, isn’t it true that
we often want others to be with us?
If a husband and wife are apart
because one of them is travelling, don’t they try to be in touch through a text
or email or phone call? When we go to an
Ironbirds game, don’t we usually invite family or friends to go with us?
Don’t we keep photos of our loved
ones who have died on our bedroom dressers? Don’t we want to share Thanksgiving dinner
with others?
The idea is that deep down
within us there is this hunger to be with others. This is also part of our spiritual genetic
code.
And I believe that this hunger is
evidence of God within each of us and drawing us to one another and trying to
make us one. This hunger is evidence of God
the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
So, maybe
this is a different way of approaching the Trinity!
Maybe
we have a spiritual genetic code, and with that we have this deep down,
built-in hunger for something or someone other, for loving and being loved, and
for oneness with others. These elements
of our spiritual genetic code are evidences of God – the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit.
