Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Reflecting on Proverbs 8:22-31
Based on an icon by Andrei Rublev in the Tretyakov Museum, Moscow
Who are the people who decided the first reading for this Sunday? I want to thank them personally for choosing that beautiful passage from the book of Proverbs (8:22-31) as the best section of the entire Old Testament to portray the work of God the Creator. Did you hear it? The creator of the universe had a playmate, a friend who played on the surface of the earth, who was with God at first, before the earth. And of course that playmate was the Holy Spirit.
Ah, Wisdom (Holy Spirit). You were God’s partner when the mountains settled into place, and when the limits of the sea were measured out you were there, delighting God day by day.
The other two readings today give us the Second and Third Persons of the Trinity as we usually think of them: Jesus, the peace-giver, and the Holy Spirit, the truth-giver. But oh, how lovely to think of the First Person through the poetry of Proverbs—the delighted, artistic, musical, wondrous creator of all that is. Our universe is shot through with Wisdom, and we live in its endless mysteries.
Of course, our beloved dead whom we remember and honor this Memorial Day weekend know that Wisdom now in a much richer way than we who wait in joyful hope for the day we are reunited with them. They know the Trinity intimately, as the never-ending love of God drawing us home.
Sharing God’s Word at Home:
Do you feel a special closeness to one of the Persons of the Trinity?
What a wonderful place to connect with the readings! Thank you!
I feel a closeness with God the Creator. My children are young and they are still so close to their moment of creation. Their delight in EVERYTHING they see, helps me reconnect to the wonder of creation. Every moment is an opportunity for play, discovery, a little art project, creating a new game, singing a song…they do it so easily. What a wonder!
Wow, what a question! It’s taken me over 24 hours of contemplation, wondering if there is ONE person of the Trinity I feel closest to at all times. Early on in my life it was definitely God….He was always my refuge during a somewhat tumultuous childhood; I knew that He was the one I could count on to love me and look out for me. And, even now, when I’m outside and look at the trees, flowers, mountains, any part of creation, I am awed and filled with wonder and gratitude. Other creatures, domestic and wild, fill me with the same sense of wonder. But, when it comes to trying to live my life, Christ is clearly the model I wish to emulate..poorly as that may be. Once it became possible for me to believe that Christ lived in me then He took a high place in my awareness also. The Holy Spirit came into my consciousness later in life, and I trust in Her presence and guidance for all the rest. So, it depends where my head and heart are at the moment, but I can’t imagine being separated from any part of the Trinity.
Today I hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit, calling me to let go of fear and to trust that she is always here, especially when I doubt or despair. I appreciate anew Father Pat’s emphasis on the triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the shimmering sun, in the dark night, I seek to connect to those I love as well as those who feel alien from me. We are one body, one body in Christ. Thank you, Kathy McGovern, for this beguiling invitation to enter The Story.
It’s hard to pick just one part of the Trinity because they bring us so many riches and they are all one. what a mystery! I find that I call on all of them for different reasons. I always speak to God in thanksgiving for his son and in Jesus I always call on God’s promises through him, but the Holy Spirit because through the Spirit we are inspired and guided I always pray for that guidance and inspiration and I feel that at this particular time in my life i really need that Spirit of God to guide and protect me.
Teresa, your comment about your young chidren reminds me of my grandson. It is so beautifully put; that he is “so close to the moment of his creation.” When I am with my grandson, sometimes I imagine a quality that I could never find words for; right in front of my eyes. It’s a flexible, unpredictable, dancing kind of thing. Remember the expression, “carried me away”, well that indescribible quality does that to us when we’re playing.
Besides not having words for it, I can’t feel enough of the feeling the quality evokes; it spills over because it is so much bigger than what I can feel. I’m learning about the Holy Spirit, and His nature is just beyond words.
Although I know Jesus lives in my heart, God the Father is whom I turn to most readily. My words to the Father come most easily. For some reason, I feel the Father is there when I need Him. Ps 103 helps me to praise God the Father: “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.” This image from that psalm says worlds to me: “Who…raises your life from the pit; and CROWNS YOU with love and compassion.” Who would not feel undeserving of being gently lifted up by Almighty God and tenderly crowned with the utmost love, who has been living in a pit?
I know that everything I say about the three Persons refer to One. What a mystery to ponder; the Trinity. You never feel that you’ve got a handle on saying what you mean to say. But that’s OK!
The Holy Spirit is my favorite person of the Trinity. Perhaps it is because it is most difficult to understand a Ghost, it has held a special fascination. And I always trust the Spirit to bring a special grace, answer a special prayer. The Holy Spirit really became visible to me in viewing the Bernini window at the Vatican, and then to see the Holy Spirit window in my own church home, in the center of the nave of St. Peter, each time I attend Mass there. The windows remind me that the Spirit not only descends to us, it ascends to heaven, carrying all our needs for God’s discernment.
Yesterday I meant to share this mysterious thought, which I once read from Henri Nouwen: He said that the Father and Jesus are so close that they share one breath: The Holy Spirit. I don’t have the actual quote or the name of the book. But I remember clearly those few words which he had written that gave me pause.
Kathy,
Congratulations! I hope you have many readers and reflectors sharing their experiences with scripture each week.
Paul’s letter to the Romans was the reading that struck me at Mass Sunday morning. It is only in times of difficulty (afflictions) that I grow. When things are going smoothly, I tend to relax in satisfaction and try not to rock the boat. Life’s challenges have made me look for the graces God offers to help me. When I accept and welcome those graces, I realize how wonderful is the love of God for all of us, and I can then hope in eternal salvation. I look forward with great anticipation to that which is to come!
Kathy, how exciting for you and for the rest of us. This will be a big success,
God Bless
Maggie I
Kathy,
So good to hear of your new venture. Thank you so much.
I feel close to each Person of the Trinity at different times as needs arise in my life. But if I had to choose just one Person it would be Jesus.
Kathy,
Thank you so much for establishing this website. I liked the links to other sites offering reflections on the daily and weekly readings. My favorite person in the Trinity has, for years, been the Holy Spirit. I think this was fostered by exposure to open teachers in the seminary, such as Bob Lechner, C.PP.S., and then the influence of Teilhard de Chardin, Ed Hays, Henri Nouwen, Mary Luke Tobin, and others who see life as a process, ever changing, ever new, full of surprises. Again, Carol and I thank you and Ben for all you do in bringing God’s word to our minds and hearts.
Thanks, Kathy, for this website. Even though my pastor didn’t seem interested, I can now access your reflections on the web. You are always such an inspiration, making the Scriptures seem more meaningful and applicable to what’s going on in every day life.