Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff on a rotating basis.
Growing In Faith
by Ruth Pera, Faith Formation Coordinator
Today we celebrate the Solemnity (means highest of holy days in the Church’s eyes) of the Most Holy Trinity. We celebrate the mystery that our God is one God, three distinct persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It seems simple enough on the surface sometimes, I think – I can wrap my head around St. Patrick’s shamrock analogy well enough. But when I try to think about or express what it means – three distinct persons – I stumble. Are my relationships with each person of the Trinity unique, or do those relationships stand on their own? Do I receive distinct, though complementary, callings and gifts from each person of the Trinity? What does this mean for how I relate to God? I get lost in the mystery.
What is clear to me, is that the Trinity has a lot to teach us about our relationships with one another. Our God is a communal God. God exists completely in relationship with the other persons of the Trinity, and yet, even in that mysterious relationship, God does not loose his own identity as a unique person. As humans, created in the image and likeness of God, we are also made to exist in community. We are most complete when we are known by others, care for others and are cared for by them, learn from, relate to, and share our emotions and experiences with those around us. Community such as that calls us into the fullness of who we are made to be, and, when lived authentically, is often counter-cultural.
This week I was corresponding with some of the families in our parish who volunteer their family time to prepare parents for the baptism of their first child. As I spent a few minutes reflecting on this last year I had this to share with them:
“This year, Dana and Roberto got to coach kids on the track team whose parents they helped prepare for baptism! And Alia served as a sponsor in RCIA for a couple (well, the wife), that she and Tim prepared. And the Marquards attended the baptisms of multiple kids who are in their sons’ classes – kids who weren’t baptized as infants for any number of reasons, but were ready and lovingly prepared by the Marquard family.”
It was really a scheduling correspondence, so it was a little weird when I then had to stop writing for a few minutes because I was so overcome by the depth and importance of the work those families do and the completeness of our faith community that is demonstrated in those three simple sentences. In one ministry, in one regular year, in one single parish in one city on our planet, people are cared for body, mind, and spirit within the community of our parish. It fills my heart to overflowing with gratitude that God has made us to need and serve one another, and joy that I have such an amazing parish in which to live that out. So today, I celebrate the mystery of the Trinity by lifting up in joy each one of you.