for Sunday May 31, 2015, Trinity Sunday, Yr B, Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8, Ps 29, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17
How is a mystery explained? And if explained, it is no longer a mystery. The mystery of the Trinity is nothing if not confounding. One God/Three Persons - separate yet one, equal with different roles that are ultimately the same, belief in one is meant to be belief in all and the One that is the same but different.
Franciscan theologian Richard Rohr tells us that "...the Western Church overemphasized the individual "names" Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but not so much the quality of the relationships between them, which is where all the power and meaning lies!" And further, "The real and essential point is how the three "persons" relate to one another--infinite outpouring and infinite receiving..."
Rohr tells us that "...Niels Bohr, the Danish physicist who was a major contributor to quantum physics and nuclear fission, said the universe is 'not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can think...' The doctrine of the Trinity is saying the same thing: God is not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can think...Perhaps much of the weakness of the first 2,000 years of reflection on most of our doctrines and dogmas is that we've tried to understand them with a logical or rational mind instead of through love, prayer, and participation itself..." Perhaps we are called, as one mystic suggested, to be almost a fourth person in the flow of God...[to read the piece in its entirety, click the link: Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation, The Trinity]
If rational knowing all about God becomes the substance and goal of our faith, aren't we merely reducing God to our level and then dismissively no-ing to all that God is? How more engaging to know that mystery is always unfolding?
One of my favorite ways to attempt understanding is through a piece of a 6th century creed from Dublin known as Tírechán’s Creed ~ when speaking of God it says:
Got it now?
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
IMAGE Only, UPDATED 06/06/17 (Yr A)
Franciscan theologian Richard Rohr tells us that "...the Western Church overemphasized the individual "names" Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but not so much the quality of the relationships between them, which is where all the power and meaning lies!" And further, "The real and essential point is how the three "persons" relate to one another--infinite outpouring and infinite receiving..."
Rohr tells us that "...Niels Bohr, the Danish physicist who was a major contributor to quantum physics and nuclear fission, said the universe is 'not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can think...' The doctrine of the Trinity is saying the same thing: God is not only stranger than we think, but stranger than we can think...Perhaps much of the weakness of the first 2,000 years of reflection on most of our doctrines and dogmas is that we've tried to understand them with a logical or rational mind instead of through love, prayer, and participation itself..." Perhaps we are called, as one mystic suggested, to be almost a fourth person in the flow of God...[to read the piece in its entirety, click the link: Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation, The Trinity]
If rational knowing all about God becomes the substance and goal of our faith, aren't we merely reducing God to our level and then dismissively no-ing to all that God is? How more engaging to know that mystery is always unfolding?
One of my favorite ways to attempt understanding is through a piece of a 6th century creed from Dublin known as Tírechán’s Creed ~ when speaking of God it says:
He has a Son who is co-eternal with himself;
and similar in all respects to himself;
and neither is the Son younger than the Father,
nor is the Father older than the Son;
and the Holy Spirit breathes in them.
And the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are inseparable.
And the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are inseparable.
Got it now?
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader:
~ Holy, Holy, Holy
- Lord,
Savior, Sanctifier, as Jesus did with Nicodemus, undo our certainty and need to
know all there is about You. Grant us openness of mind, sincerity of heart, and
willingness to come to You as unknowing, to allow the wind of the Spirit, the
redemption of Christ, and our birth from Above, to move through us in Your many
and miraculous ways.
Mighty God in Three Persons
RESPONSE: We
worship You in the beauty of holiness
~ Holy, Holy,
Holy - Lord,
Savior, Sanctifier, in a world filled with the smoke of confusion, let us
answer “Here we are; send us” to speak Your voice with clean lips, to bear
witness for truth and justice for all Your people, in the halls of government
everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Mighty God in Three Persons
We worship You in the
beauty of holiness
~
Holy, Holy, Holy - Lord,
Savior, Sanctifier, help those bowed low by illness, addiction, or loneliness
to know the embrace of Your strength, and give comfort to all who give them
care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…
Mighty God in Three Persons
We worship You in the beauty of holiness
~ Holy, Holy,
Holy - Lord,
Savior, Sanctifier, lift the hearts of those deep in the woe of grief and help
us each to remember the Christ-promise of eternal life given to all who
believe. We pray especially for:
Mighty God in Three Persons
We worship You in the beauty of holiness
~ Holy, Holy,
Holy - Lord,
Savior, Sanctifier, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or
silently…
Mighty God in Three Persons
We worship You in the beauty of holiness
~ Holy, Holy,
Holy - Lord,
Savior, Sanctifier, for our earthly Guides who help us find our way to faith in
the things of heaven, we give great thanks. Lift them on their own journeys
that, together, we will rise to Your eternal glory. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Mighty God in Three Persons
We worship You in the beauty of holiness
The Celebrant adds: Abba, Redeemer, Advocate, let us live each
day as the heirs of Your eternal Kingdom in deep faith free from mere superficial
belief. Help us to seek the constant newness of Christ revealed, and to
experience the great love that brought about the salvation of this world. We
ask through each and all of the Three Eternal Persons in the sacred mystery of
the Holy Trinity, who are One God, and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
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