June 5, 2009
The Christian Journey
The created world, an infant’s conception, and what to ask Grandma
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
Today’s Feast of the Holy Trinity reminds me of the hospitality of Charles (an avid rabbit hunter) and Pauline Derr from St. Clement Parish. The Derrs enjoyed entertaining their friends with a delicious fried rabbit dinner and every side dish imaginable (see Isaiah 25:6).
Their young granddaughter Laurie joined us, “loaded for bear” with questions only children imagine! No sooner had I arrived, than she asked me, “Father Jim, if God created the world, then who created God?” (Hastily praying), I explained “No one existed who was greater than God because if someone created God, then whoever created God would have been ‘God’ because he would be greater than God. Therefore, God always existed.” You can bet your bottom dollar Laurie was the pride of her classmates when sharing that terrific insight!”
Then she asked, “Father Jim, if there is only one God, how can there be three persons in one God?” My answer was very simple — “Go ask your Grandma.” (Grandmas know everything!)
Since my mechanical skills are very limited, studying the Trinity was like taking a car engine apart! Once it was apart, I had no idea how to reassemble it. Whether other seminarians had a similar experience, we never discussed it!
When hearing the word “mystery,” we often think of the word “PUZZLE.” This is not what “mystery” means. A “mystery” is a reality we stand in wonder of. A “mystery” so fascinates us that our response is adoration, e.g. the birth of God’s eternal Son. We are overwhelmed by God’s love in the Christmas miracle — “No eye can see his glory as our God, yet now he is seen as one like us” (Christmas Preface).
If we could only “see” the Trinity — we would see that God is “love,” “union,” “communion,” “family.” The three persons are so intimately devoted to each other that they are one God. They do all things in common. We “live, move and have our being in this Triune God.”
Greater than “seeing” Trinity is “experiencing” the Trinity in our lives, Church and world. Since God indwells us (“sanctifying grace”), we can experience within us the Triune God who has created us in his image and likeness.
First, all creation co-existing in harmony reflects the Trinity; therefore, we are stewards of creation; companies must not pollute the earth, rivers or air; global warming cannot be ignored; and, we can all be more responsible about recycling waste products.
Friendship is a Trinitarian experience. Marriage is one of the deepest experiences of the Trinity. Spouses experience the Trinity in their infant’s conception, birth and welcoming their baby into their lives. The Trinity is there when families work together, love one another, play together, settle disagreements, communicate, respect each others’ feelings, share meals, accept one another, visit relatives, offer hospitality to their children’s friends.
We know the Trinity when we help a needy person, or stop being so negative and judgmental; when we refrain from telling bigoted jokes or comments; when we treat employees or employers fairly, or are more understanding; when we stop yelling obscenities at our children’s sport’s coach; or welcome a new in-law into the family.
The Trinity is present in parishioners’ participation in the Sunday Eucharist, in welcoming new members to their parish, participating in CRHP or RENEW, attending a Penance Service, taking Communion to shut-ins, greeting others when entering Church, helping with fund raisers, being marriage sponsor couples, collaborating on the Parish Pastoral Council.
“Blest and glorified is your most honorable and magnificent name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto ages of ages.”
— Eastern Church Prayer