The way of the Trinity
The story is told about a husband who told the doctor at the intensive care unit: “Please save my wife. She is only 30…” Suddenly the monitor beeped, her hand moved, and her lips mumbled and said: “I am 29!”
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In today’s Gospel (John 16:12-15), Jesus said to His disciples: “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.” How little, how incomplete is our human knowledge. And how vain are our thoughts, words and concerns. How untruthful we are in our thoughts, words, and deeds!
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Today is Trinity Sunday. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the source and font of truth. May the Spirit of truth guide us to all truth, and lead us to true loving.
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The Trinitarian spirit should start in homes and families. I read this passage in Wadowice, Poland, where St. John Paul II was born: “With filial affection, I embrace the threshold of the home of my birth, giving thanks to Divine Providence for the gift of life passed on to me by my beloved parents, for the warmth of the family, the love of my dear ones…” (Pope John Paul II). May the Trinitarian spirit dwell in our families.
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There is no such thing as a perfect family. We all have complaints and shortcomings with each other, but the late Pope Francis encouraged us to continue giving and forgiving. Forgiveness is the “medicine” without which “the family becomes sick and unhealthy.” To paraphrase an often-used quotation: “The family that forgives together stays together.”
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Pope Francis emphasized that a family is a place of support and not of gossip and slander of one another … a place of welcome, not a place of rejection. He ends by saying: “When anyone is going through a challenge, all they need is support.” This is a beautiful reminder not only for families but also for communities, friends, and associations. Individually, as a family, as a nation, as one global community, we all must learn to live out the Trinitarian example of respect, unity, giving, and constant forgiving.
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I remember this reminder of Papa and Mama when we were growing up: “We are happy if you are all united, and sad if you are divided; let us all make it to heaven, complete as a family, someday.”
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More and more we realize that the way to the Trinity is not only the straight way (daang matuwid), but also the humble way (daang mapagkumbaba). St. Jean Marie Vianney, the Cure d’Ars, the patron saint of priests, has shown us that it is possible to live a simple, humble, and dedicated life as a parish priest. He spent a great part of his holy life preaching powerful sermons, and up to 20 hours a day in the confessional, sleeping only two hours a night.
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The road to “hiddenness” is also the way to the Trinity. St. Bernadette Soubirous, the visionary of Lourdes, chose to go to a convent in Nevers, France, and spent the rest of her earthly life in silence and anonymity. Instead of basking in the spotlight, she chose to be in the presence of the Trinity in prayer, in penance, in silence, and in solitude. Sooner or later we all must learn to “fade away.” The sooner we learn that, the better for ourselves and for others as well.
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We are on a journey to the Trinity and with the Trinity. We are pilgrims, not tourists, in this world. We are reminded in the Opus Dei Shrine in Torreciudad, Spain, that we are the work of God in progress, and that we all should be involved in the work of God. What work of God are you involved in?
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Sharing with you a text message that gives us hope as long as we hold on to the Trinity: “Someday, everything that is happening in our lives will make perfect sense. So, for now, let us laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, and keep reminding ourselves that everything happens for a reason.”
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Happy Father’s Day! We thank God, our most loving and generous Father. We remember and pray for our own fathers, and pray for all fathers to be true and responsible. One with you in prayer!
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, keep us united with you, so that we do not lose our way. Amen.
