by Sister Charlene Hockers
“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit …”
Today we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. This most basic doctrine of our faith is not easily understood but is more a mystery to be experienced.
In our years of grade school, our teachers attempted to explain what “three Persons in One God” means. Three-leaf shamrocks and three lit candles making one flame were ways of symbolizing the unity of our Triune God.
Another example comes from Julian of Norwich. In a vision about the Trinity, she had an object the size of a hazelnut in her hand. With eyes of understanding, she wondered what it could be. The answer: Everything that has been made. It will last forever with God’s love. God made it, God loves it, and God keeps it. So the Triune God can be experienced as Maker, Lover, and Keeper.
These new names for God do not replace our common name for God but help us probe the mystery. God is, of course, Father, Son and Spirit but as we name God as Maker, Lover, and Keeper, we can be people of wonder and hope, loving in response to the love we have received.
Can we go and make disciples by witnessing to God as Maker, Lover, and Keeper? Can we be more conscious of who God is as we pray the Sign of the Cross or state, "Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen."
(Notes: "Living in Christ," May 2018, pp. 16-17)
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Charlene, your reflection is beautiful. I love the words describing the 3 persons of the Trinity. -- Laura
Lovely reflection, thanks for the inspiration! -- Michelle B.
Dear Sr. Charlene, I love the suggestion of – Maker, Lover and Keeper – those words will guide my prayer on this special Holy Trinity Sunday. Thank you! -- Sr. Mary Kabat
"It will last forever with God’s love. God made it, God loves it, and God keeps it." Yes, I love the 'new' imagery for Trinity. And I wonder if the word "it" in these two sentences was changed to "soul," that most interior dimension of mind-heart-spirit within each one of us - that "image-of-God-within - " what kinds of new meaning, new understanding, new awareness, and new insight we could glean. As God is, indeed, and in deed, the origin, the healer, and the keeper of our souls. When we live creatively (Creator), compassionately (Redeemer), and courageously (Holy Spirit), with a conscious contemplative spirit, our minds-hearts-spirits-wills are becoming one-with-Our-Ever-Living-Loving-Enlightening God. -- Linda
Three succinct words to reveal a very deep mystery. Thanks, Charlene. -- Fran