RENEWsletter for May 30, 2010 - Holy Trinity

Dear Renewed folks--
Have you ever put something together that delighted you when you saw the result? When you've spent energy and diligence to produce something -- as mundane as a clean kitchen, or as esoteric as a beautiful painting -- have you stepped back and smiled at your own handiwork? Well, that's they way God felt when he got done creating the earth and its inhabitants, as we'll see in Sunday's readings.

This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The readings deal with all three persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they can be accessed on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/053010.shtml, or in your Bible in:

Proverbs 8.22-31
Psalm 8.4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (with v. 2a)
Romans 5.1-5
John 16.12-15

Our First Reading examines the origin and nature of God's wisdom. It appears that God had wisdom long before any of his creation existed (Prov. 8.22-26). Here's where the phrase "old as the hills" has some meaning. In fact, wisdom is older than the hills! In wisdom, the heavens were established (v. 27). In wisdom, the foundations of the earth were stabilized (v. 28). In wisdom the extent of the seas was mapped out (v. 29). Then God created people in wisdom, and he stepped back and beheld what he had put together... and found delight in us! (v. 31). This is God, our Father.

When we contemplate these truths, we can sing this Sunday's Responsorial Psalm. "When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place..." (Psalm 8.4). These days, in the heart of urban areas where most of us live, it's hard to behold the heavens. But a man named John Dobson invented a simple, inexpensive telescope mount and became known around San Francisco as "The Sidewalk Astronomer". He pointed his telescope at the Moon and other bright objects visible between the streetlights and the neon signs on the buildings and invited people to look. They were amazed. And we are amazed when we think that God is mindful of us and cares for us (v. 5)! Not only that but he has "crowned us with glory and honor" (v. 6), and given his creation to us to rule and care for (v. 7)! "How wonderful is your name in all the earth!" (v. 2).

The Second Reading shows how comprehensive the work of Jesus Christ was and is. By faith we have peace through him (Rom. 5.1). Through his grace, we have hope (v. 2). And all this happens because the love of God has been poured into our hearts (v. 5). Even in affliction we have joy because of a chain of results, naturally following one another: affliction produces endurance; endurance produces character; character results in hope; and hope never disappoints. (vs. 3-5). This is God the Son, our Brother.

The Gospel Reading reveals how all this comes about. Slowly, the Holy Spirit feeds us truth, a little at a time, at a pace we can handle (John 16.12). We grow, we learn, and eventually we possess the Truth (v. 13)! As we learn the Truth it becomes clear what glory and praise and honor is due the Lord. And now we're back full circle to Wisdom. This is what we receive from the Holy Spirit. This is God, the Holy Spirit, our Guide and Comforter.

The fingerprints of God are everywhere. On the trees that grow from the ground. On the clouds that form and float in the sky. On the waves that roll across the ocean. And on us. Those fingerprints show the love of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for us, the work of his fingers.

Randy Jones
"Those who reject the Trinity have to do everything themselves!"