Readings for May 25-26, The Most Holy Trinity
By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission
I grew up hearing my dad say, “Good things come in threes.” Dad had the patience of Job and believed in God’s promises, even if he had to wait one day or one year for the “three” to happen.
Another favorite adage of my dad was, “A genius always sneezes in threes.” I have become really good at faking that third sneeze!
This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Holy Trinity, that great mystery of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one undivided being unfolding into three interpersonal relationships.
Just recently, as I was making the sign of the cross, I reflected on how each of us carries that mark of the Trinity within our being.
Touching our forehead, we name God the Father, God the Creator, the God of mystery who has created us mind, body and soul.
It is within the frontal lobe of our brain, located behind our forehead, that we grow in our inner life. It is the place of mystery where we grow in our intimacy with God, as we discover and mature in feelings, values, beliefs, personality, thoughts, emotions, spirituality and purpose.
Upon touching our heart, we can think of Jesus, God the Son.
While remaining God, Jesus took on a human nature. He came to us bearing the Godly mission of bringing the good news of a life freed from the darkness of sin. Jesus came to provide an example of how we are to be a living, loving Gospel, as we walk with others in a spirit of mutual peace, respect, holiness and healing compassion.
Finally, we touch each shoulder, our “wings,” and honor the Holy Spirit.
Being human puts us in a position where our inner and outer selves don’t always align. We might think one thing (in our inner self), but behave differently (in our outer self). The person we manifest in the world may not be a model of Jesus, but rather one who is “holier than thou” and self-seeking.
It is the Holy Spirit who brings unity and balance between our inner and outer being by manifesting to us the Spirit’s gifts.
Those gifts are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. The Spirit’s fruits are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.
The Holy Spirit inspires, reveals and guides us towards a deeper understanding of God revealed to us in word and sacrament, and God revealed in our world.
In the future, when you make the sign of the cross, let it not only signal to you that what you are about to do is being done in the name of God.
But let it also be a reminder that within you is the Trinitarian mark of God, in perfect Life, perfect Truth and perfect Love.
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
“Eternal Trinity … mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself” (St. Catherine of Siena).
Zahorik is director for spiritual engagement at St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Mary Parish, Winneconne.
The readings for Sunday, May 26, can be found at The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity | USCCB.
