A Contemplation of the Divine Nature

Reflections on the Readings

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - May 30, 2010, Year C

By Dennis Hankins

dennishankins@gmail.com

Readings For This Sunday

The Most Holy Trinity - A Contemplation of the Divine Nature

"I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." - Jesus

As I grow older, I find myself willing to let some things go unsaid.  I'm discovering a little more patience can go a long way, but not because it wouldn't be good to speak or to intervene.  It just might not be the right moment.  Perhaps that child or spouse will be more prepared to hear and listen at another time.  Just like it is for the disciples, they are not ready to hear it right now.

"I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now," Jesus says.  Even with that said, Jesus opens for his disciples and for us a door to contemplating the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the very mystery of God in himself. (Catechism #234) 

Jesus promised the Spirit of truth saying, "He will guide you into all truth."  And what kind of truth is it?  The Holy Spirit guides the Church to contemplate all that is shared between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he (i.e. the Holy Spirit) will take what is mine and declare it to you.  In our contemplation we witness the mutuality of exchange, the complete living for the other, of the Blessed Three in One.  

If the Holy Spirit leads us, and he will, we can see with the very eyes of our heart the drama of divine love.  To contemplate the divine nature is to muse upon this extraordinary love; the height, the width, the length, and the breadth of the love of God.  And if the baptism of the Holy Spirit is anything, it is most assuredly the love of God poured into our hearts.  

Paul, who spoke and prayed in tongues more than anyone, describes tongues of men and of angels without love as a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If one possesses prophetic powers, understands all mysteries, has all knowledge, and faith enough to remove mountains, without love he is nothing.  Nothing, absolutely nothing is gained without the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. 

It is the Holy Spirit who opens our hearts and our minds to the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity.  If we are wary of his inspirations, we cannot be fully grateful for our salvation. My friend, let us contemplate this:  

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the spirit of sonship.  When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:15-17)

The ecstatic prayer, "Abba! Father!" is a prayer inspired by the Spirit; the very Spirit who make us not slaves, but sons and daughters of the Most Holy Trinity - partakers of the divine nature.  True worship starts here.

It is Jesus who describes true worshippers and they are those who worship the Father in spirit and truth.  In the Gospel today, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as the 'Spirit of truth.'  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.(John 4:22-24) And so joining with all the choirs of heaven, we lift our voices in the Holy Spirit to proclaim the power of the love of God, and to sing of our salvation in Christ: Holy, Holy, Holy, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.  

Let us Pray: Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace to continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.