“God in three persons, blessed Trinity.”
Did Reginal Heber truly understand the concept that he wrote
about in his hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy”? For most of us it is a precept of
Christianity that is difficult to grasp in its entirety. However, the other
day, as I followed the guided prayer time on Sacred Space.ie, the writer
offered the following insights into the Trinity:
“The inner life of God is mutual giving and receiving. Each Person
of the Blessed Trinity is fulfilled by fully giving themselves lovingly to the
other two Persons, and fully receiving the love of the other two Persons. It is
an everlasting circle of love between three divine persons, Father, Son and
Holy Spirit.” (SacredSpace.ie)
The author also wrote that there is another trinity, in
which we are a part—the trinity of
God, others, and ourselves:
“We, who are made in the image and likeness of God, are only
fulfilled by wholly giving ourselves out of love to others and fully receiving
God’s love for us. God will always be with us in this work, for it is His work.”
(SacredSpace.ie)
As we share God’s love and plan for humanity’s salvation with
others we not only establish a connection between them and ourselves, we also offer the opportunity to connect with God, just as we
have connected with Him. A trinity of God, us, and others is formed when we act
in obedience to Jesus’ commands:
“Jesus,
undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: ‘God authorized and commanded
me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this
way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.
I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end
of the age.’" (Matthew 28:17-20)
“Here’s
another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in
the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as
public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m
going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now
that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house;
be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to
open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
May we join with God and others in a three-sided unity that
draws us ever closer to the Holy Trinity--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessings!
Pam
©2017 Pamela D. Williams
