Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR C TRINITY SUNDAY - 3.6.07 Prov 8,22-31; Rom 5,1-5; Jn 16,12-15 The “complete truth” about God God in the Psalms The mystery of God as 'Trinity' is central to Christian faith and life. At the heart of this mystery, the Christian Bible places the image of a Father, whose love is incarnated in the Son; a Son, who gives life to the world; and a Holy Spirit, who is the mutual love between Father and Son. Today, let's honour God, chanting and praying the familiar formulas, exorcisms and blessings that honour the Tri-une God: Sign of the Cross – Glory be – Blessing at the end of Mass, Eucharistic prayers, Preface, last verse of Hymns etc. Let's be inspired by the symbols and icons that artists have created, to help us visualise our loving God: triangular form, shamrock, geometrical and architectural shapes, as indeed A. Rublev's famous Icon of 'Trinity with 3 Angels' ....Augustine (died 430AD) proposed an image of God as Communion of Love: he described 'Father, Son and Spirit' as “Lover – Beloved and Love” communicating between them. Fond as he was of Latin, he suggested also that 'conception' takes place – first and foremost – in the mind, since what we perceive, is a 'concept' of the mind, before it materialises into anything else; and from here we move to insights of creator, intelligence and love. Jesus himself during his life on earth spoke of God in his own intimate way: He used to pray to God, as his 'Abba' (Pater = Father, in Mk 14,36+), and the word 'Abba” is an affectionate way of saying: 'Dear Father, Dad and Daddy'. Even today Israeli children call their fathers : 'Abba: Next, Jesus claimed to be 'Son of the most high' – Ben-ha M'vorakh (Mk 14,61), as he was challenged by High Priest Caiaphas and for this he was charged and executed as a blasphemer. Finally Jesus, was 'born of the Holy Spirit' (Mt 1,18) and sent his disciples to baptise 'in the name of Father – Son – Holy Spirit' (28,19). Hebrew for Holy Spirit is: Ruach Ha Kodesh. The mystery of God 'utterly other' God will continue to baffle our imagination: when we marvel at the immense order and beauty of the universe, as the big-cosmos or explore the intricacies of our own 'micro-cosm' in human life and in the invisible 'atmoic world', we can only respond in amazement and wonder, humility and responsibility. God constantly demands our undivided attention. He is both near and far; merciful and strict; beyond our control and 'utterly other'. Today, I invite every follower of our Lord to learn and enjoy the wisdom of the Psalms, 150 of them in the Bible. When recited prayerfully and consistently they provide a marvellous picture of God. A God who is always at work: freeing, healing, forgiving, redeeming, satisfying, rewarding. He is a God of steadfast love and his mercy (hesed) endures forever. For those who trust him, God is a rock, a fortress, a refuge, a shield, a shelter and a safe hiding place. At the same time the Psalms remind us that God is mysterious, beyond our comprehension, manipulation and judgement. While He deserves all our attention and reverence and while he inspires us beyond our wildest imaging, He cannot be seen, touched, defined, confined to human imagination, contained in a temple, represented in art. He is beyond and utterly other; to him we long with all our being and in his immense wisdom we are at home, as a fish in a sea of infinity. To deepen and appreciate all this we must be imbued with the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. The Psalms remind us that God is everywhere present, everywhere sanctifying those who trust in Him. In this reverential 'Fear of the Lord' we feel healed add as counterpart, Jesus' own concept of God as 'our(Abba)Father' who invites us to an overwhelming intimacy and child-like trust. Today, Pray the “Our Father” from the heart. ______________________________________ |
