Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Readings: Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
Summary
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 (Jn 16:12-13a).
Reflection
The mystery and wonder of the Most Blessed Trinity is a beautiful revelation of the contours of love. Ever watch a Mother and Father hover over a newborn infant, in protection and in wonder? For the baby he sees but one thing, love. Later the baby can see distinction between the Father and Mother. So are the persons of the Lord watching over you. We say God now and as we grow we say Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
There remains much we do not understand. Not for the Lord hiding from us but because we cannot bear it now. As individuals the revelation of love is personal and specific.
In our second reading today, we are introduced to the Theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love. These are divine gifts that we may be in relation to God and allow us to live Christian lives. Faith is first what the Lord has in us and offers to us faith in him. Hope is the very nature of our being given as gift and expressed as persons as we mature. Love is the very fiber (life force) of our being given and made to be given.
Personal Reflection
As a PMP Project Manager (retired) I dealt with and used often the concept of Progressive Elaboration. Progressive Elaboration is the process by which details and plans go through an improvement process over time as more information become accessible and more accurate estimates are produced. As I read salvation history from the Bible it is quite clear we have gone though a specifically detailed progressive elaboration. A constant refinement of what we understand and how we understand the divine person, our relation to the divine and, therefore, what our next actions should be.
This happens at the universal level and at the personal level.
The revelation of the Holy Spirit as person is clearly hinted at in Genesis (the royal ‘we’/spirit upon the waters), expressed in the Psalms, co-creator in Proverbs, and promised by the Prophets. The ‘spirit’ poured out, anointed, breath and fire. All of these are present in the New Testament is expressed in more elaborate and specific terms.
Yet since Pentecost an even more detailed expression of the Spirit of God. But not a Spirit of division but unity. The Spirit explains and illuminates the friendship of the Son and the depths of the love of the Father. In revealing the Father and Son the Spirit reveals himself. For me, a personal opinion, it is no wonder the Blessed Mother and the Holy Spirit share a specific way of expressing the divine love. It is the Spirit and the Mother who reveal the love of Father and Son. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit (Jn 3:6). But we need not expand this idea beyond a poetic expression of the person of the Holy Spirit, Mother.
Father’s Day BTW
Dads! Happy Father’s Day! Thank you for your loving care of your family.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061525.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry