June 16, 2019

Most Holy Trinity
Proverbs 8: 22-31; Romans 5: 1-5; John 16: 12-15
So often we get up early in the morning and journey out into the crisp morning air. It really doesn’t matter what
time of year it is... there is something about the newness of the day and the recognition of the newness of
creation. We could say that we feel ‘at one’ with creation. There are also frequent times in our lives when we are
touched by a person’s attention and/or care showered upon us that makes us feel important, special, blessed
even. Again, we feel that we are ‘at one’ with creation. There are those surprised times when we feel that we are
not just part of creation but that we are an integral part of God’s creation and even more especially that we are
really loved. This is so deep seated that again we feel we are ‘at one’ with God’s plan for the world.
At other times we feel totally disconnected with the world and with God. We are wandering lost in a sea of the
unknown, wondering if anyone cares or even if I care. These times bring a feeling of being just a pebble on the
vast sea of sand along our worlds oceans and seas. Can anyone notice me? I need to be found...I need to be
appreciated...I need to be loved.
In analyzing these words, one could say that they are very astute and perceptive. One might say they are very
wise and deep. The first reading today is taken from the Book of Proverbs which is an anthology of teaching
poetry whose primary purpose is to all who desire advanced training is wisdom. It reads as if one is listening to
wisdom’s voice. This advice will lead to riches far beyond our imagination as seen in these verses preceding
today’s reading: “Those who love me I absolve, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor enduring
wealth and prosperity.” (Proverbs 8: 17-18). Wisdom is of divine origin. It was with God from the beginning. Long
before the actual creation, we can see God’s purpose in fashioning the world and God’s relationship with
humanity. God created the world in total security and safety for humans to live and thrive in His creation. All
this so that all may know of God’s goodness and His care for each individual and every part of His creation.
God first loved us. This helps in understanding of the Trinity: the individual love of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. In Genesis we are told that all of creation and humanity especially is ‘very good’ and ‘a delight’. God can be
described as a community of love since God always loves all the time and lives in constant relationship with
humanity. Do I let God love me, because that is what God does? Do I have to do anything in return? Not
really...but appreciation and gratitude is showing in acknowledging that love. Do I live for me or for God?
Paul describes the new situation people are in because Jesus has let us know that God has first loved us. As a
result we are at peace with God. The phrase Paul uses is “believers have been justified by faith.” Jesus’ death and
resurrection has acquitted us and declared us innocent. As a result we are in a wholesome, right relationship
with God because of what God has done for us in Christ, NOT because of anything we have done. When Paul
writes that we “...have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” he means that we have been reconciled with
God. God loves us and has redeemed us...and glory with God has been promised us, even while we endure
suffering and afflictions. Am I grateful? Do I reflect on the depth and intensity of God’s love for me? Does He
really love me that much? YES!
John, A Devotional Commentary-Meditations on John’s Gospel developed from Word Among Us monthly
publications shares these tremendous insights and reflection on our gospel today:
“Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be at times to determine the truth in a given situation? We are
barraged with conflicting voices in everything from choosing a shampoo to raising children. Every alternative
set before us claims to be the best way, and we find ourselves pulled in so many directions that we lose sight
of what we started out to do. God knows our every need and has made provision to lead us from confusion
into clarity through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the action of the Spirit, we can separate wheat from
chaff, truth from deception and choose life instead of death.
What characterizes the Spirit of truth and what are the truths He addresses? To begin, the Spirit gives us
knowledge that leads us to praise God the Father and Jesus His Son. He is our Counselor and our teacher
(John 14:26). He intercedes for us when we ourselves do not even know how to pray (Romans 8:26). The Spirit
leads us to truth in every situation—spiritual and physical—if we but listen to Him. He leads us to recognize
that each of us is a participant in the fall of man. None of us is sinless. The Holy Spirit teaches us about the
righteousness of Jesus, His sinless nature, and His actions saving us from everlasting separation from God.
Through the Spirit, we come to accept the forgiveness that God has given us through His Son. Lastly, we
come to know that Satan and his power have been defeated and that judgment will come for each of us.
(John 16: 8-11) In all things, the Spirit leads us to a deeper knowledge of Jesus as “the way, and the truth, and
the life” (John 14: 6)
In all these ways, the Spirit guides us into the truth. But greater even than all this, the Spirit brings us to a
personal, ongoing encounter with Jesus Christ, who is truth incarnate. He fills our hearts with the love and
presence of Jesus, and in the light of the love of the Lord, we begin to think differently about our lives and
about the world around us. We long for heaven. We burn to share the gospel. We are filled with compassion
and are moved to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the ailing. Through the Spirit’s continuing
work in our lives, we are set free “...to become partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4), and our hearts
are inflamed with the hope that we will one day be fully incorporated into the life and love of Jesus, our
hope.”
“Holy Spirit, work in my life in a new way. Teach me about the kingdom of God. Show me my need for Jesus.
Reveal to me the love of Christ and lead me according to His will Give me the desire and the strength to serve
the body of Christ and to share this new life with those I meet.”
So I reflect on:
• As I look back in my childhood and as teen...how did my caregivers reveal God’s
love for me?
• Am I conscious of the Holy Spirit leading me to a sense of ‘the true, good and
beautiful’?
• How do I care for others? What signs of love do I show others?
• What people, places, or events have most helped me to grow in faith?
Sacred Space 2019 states:
“You cannot bear them now, you said. Lord, you time your interventions for my readiness. They that wait upon You shall
renew their strength, says Isaiah. May I learn how to wait upon You. The Spirit of truth did indeed come, but how often am I
aware of this? Do I address the Holy Spirit in my prayers, asking for help, asking to be guided into the truth of everyday
situations? I say such a prayer now.”