What Is The Trinity?

7 Jun

“A man named Don Simms relates a story about his young nephew, who was overheard to say, reassuring his sister, ‘You don’t have to be afraid of the Holy Ghost. It’s just God with a sheet over His head.'” ~ Don Simms, As Kids See It

I guess, for many, “God with a sheet over His head” is about as good an explanation of the Holy Spirit as anything. When it comes to understanding the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — we almost always seem to be at a loss.

There are some mysteries of the faith that we will never be able to understand until we have the chance to see God face-to-face.  At that time, we will understand everything.  Until then, the best we can do is to try to embrace the great mysteries of the faith as well as to continue forward in living and expressing our faith.

On Trinity Sunday, we ponder the fact that our God is three distinct persons yet only one God.  Throughout history, we have responded to each of the persons of God according to the roles to which we have ascribed to them.

We have always portrayed the Father as creator.  Whenever we reflect upon Genesis and creation, we generally think “Father.”  When we talk about Jesus, we speak of “redeemer.”  It was that second person of the Trinity who died upon the cross and rose from the dead in order to redeem us from sin and death.  The third person of the Holy Trinity, whom we celebrated last Sunday at Pentecost, is the Holy Spirit.  We ascribe the role of “sanctifier” to Him as the Spirit is the one who makes us holy through the incredible gifts and fruits of the Spirit.

Of course, God is more than role.  However, that is the way that we have come to understand Him best.  Each of us responds to God differently.  Some see God as Father and, when they pray, it is always to that person of the Trinity.  Some have a relationship with the Son and their prayer is generally directed to Jesus.  Still others have a connection to God by praying to the Spirit.

When the Church prays, we pray to the Triune God.  Most prayers at Mass and in other liturgies are address to the Father and end through the intercession of the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.  We realize that God is one and that each person of God is just as active in our lives as the other because they all are one.

We may not understand it; but, we celebrate our Triune God today.  Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever!

FAITH ACTION:  Ask God to reveal Himself to you more fully this day.  Praise Him for His love.