Area 76
Jun 4, 2023
Trinity Sunday
Reflection
The Trinity is not first of all a puzzle, which in principle could be solved, bur rather a mystery, a relationship which is first of all lived, never exhausted and only inadequately spoken of in words. This is true of any of the significant relationships in our lives and true, therefore, all the more so of God. Within the mystery of that relationship, we recognise God, from whom we come, in whom we live and move and have our being. We recognise the Son, the way, the truth and the life. We recognise the Spirit, who helps us to pray when we do not know how to pray as we ought.
Reading
Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; Ps [= Dan 3:52-56]; 2Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18
Meditation (John 3:16-18)
Jesus speaks of himself being lifted up, a term that can mean a physical lifting, or also exaltation. By this play on words the evangelist explains to us that Jesus’ gift of himself in the passion was a glorious revelation of love, despite all its injustice and brutality. Bring to mind occasions when the love shown by Jesus in his passion was a sacrament of God’s love for you.
It would be very cushy for us if we could be a source of life to others without cost to ourselves. The true life-givers know that they need the generosity of being lifted up by giving their lives so that others may have life. Recall when you have had that generosity and give thanks for others who have been like that for you.
We receive life from God when our faith enables us to trust in God’s love for us. We give life to one another when the love between us is trustworthy. Recall memories of that kind of trustworthy love. For whom have you been able to be a ‘Jesus person’ and give a love that another could trust? Who has shown that kind of love to you and been for you a sacrament of God’s love?
People loved darkness rather than light…so that their deeds may not be exposed. Judgment and condemnation are very inhibiting forces and we easily slip into them. Occasionally we meet someone who is non-judgmental, who does not come into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved. What has it been like for you when you met a non-judgmental person? What has it been like for you, and for other people, when you have been able to adopt a non-judgmental approach them?