The Most Holy Trinity
Sunday 7th June 2020
You may have gathered over these last few months
that I find Icons to be both inspiring and revealing. They are not mere
paintings to be stared at but windows that allow you to glimpse the divine. I
have always found them useful in prayer and when trying to grapple with the
great mysteries of our faith. The Icon above, by the Russian monk Andrei Rublev
who died in the early 14th century, is called The Trinity. As today
is Trinity Sunday I thought it would be good to reflect on this heavenly image
that has become, for many faithful, a window that sheds light on the mystery of
God the Most Holy Trinity.
‘The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God himself. It is therefore the source of all other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them.’ (Catechism #234)
That simple statement above, ‘It is the
mystery of God Himself’, reminds us that God the Trinity can’t be an
abstract notion at the back of our minds but a reality that we embrace daily.
The Trinity is the reality of God who is everything. He is the answer to all
our questions. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all our lives. He is the God who gives purpose to our being.
He is the source of all true Love.
‘The
Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the
“consubstantial Trinity”...”The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that
which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is...”’
(Catechism #253)
By not being able to label the three angelic beings
in the Icon reminds us that though they are seated as three distinct persons
they are but One God. This unity is emphasised by the fact that they are all
sitting around a table. No one person is better than the other, no one person
is superior to the other, all sit as one, bonded in love for each other.
You will notice that all three are holding a staff
in their hands. A staff is the sign of being on a journey and God the Trinity
is definitely on a journey – with us! Throughout our lives God is always
present.
‘Go,
therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptise them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...’
(Mt 28:19)
As babies we are baptised in the name of the
Trinity and from there begins our pilgrimage in life. Every step we take, every
decision we make, our every thought and word never escapes the attention of
God. Throughout our lives God the Father is lavishing us with His love, in
Jesus Christ the Son, who we encounter through the power of the Holy Spirit. At
Mass God the Father is praised and adored because he has given us the gift of
Jesus His Son. It is our Lord who offers himself as the sacrificial victim for
our salvation and is present on the Altar by the power and working of the Holy
Spirit. If we stop, look and contemplate we will always see the ever loving
hand of God the Trinity reaching out to us in our lives.
You will notice that the three persons of the
Trinity are seated around not just a table but an Altar. How do we know this?
Rublev has placed a chalice on the Altar with the image of a lamb inside it,
this is the Eucharist. In the Eucharist we come into the very presence of God
himself.
‘Philip
said, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and then we shall be satisfied.’ ‘Have I been
with you all this time, Philip,’ Jesus said to him ‘and yet you still do not
know who I am? To have seen me is to have seen the Father! So how can you say,
‘Let us see the Father?’ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the
Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself: it is
the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.’ (Jn
14: 8-10)
Jesus reminds the disciples that to know him is to
know the Father. To be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is to be in the
presence of not just the Risen Jesus but of the Father also; And of course who
brings us to know Jesus first? God the Holy Spirit.
‘...The
Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you
everything and remind you of all I have said to you.’
(Jn 14:26)
When we pray before the Tabernacle or make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament during Exposition then we come into the very presence of God the Most Holy Trinity.
There is a subtle invitation for all of us in
Rublev’s Icon. Do you see the space between the two angelic figures seated on
the left and right of the Icon? Can you see the gap in between them at the
front of the Altar? Notice how all three persons of the Trinity use at least
one of their hands to gesture towards that space. We are being invited by God
to pull up a chair and be seated with him at the great Heavenly Banquet. God
wants us! Rublev has painted one of the best images of heaven. He has painted
that loving desire of God who yearns for us, His children, to be seated with
Him at his table of Eternal Love. There are no fluffy clouds or mythical
parties and raucous get together’s but the concrete reality of a God who wants
us to be with him, united in that circle of Love. That is paradise, that is God
the Most Holy Trinity! Amen.
On a different note some of you may have seen the
Bishop on the news last week in regards to the future opening up of churches
and other places of public worship. Yesterday I received this email from the
diocesan communications office:
‘The
Archbishops have finalised, and are now publishing, their directives for the
re-opening of the churches. Please read
the policy very carefully. These directives are conditions and not guidelines
for re-opening. A date for re-opening churches has still not been confirmed.
All churches must be inspected and authorised for opening before they are
opened for Private Prayer.’
(Salford
Diocese Communications Department)
The good news is that there is now movement towards
opening churches but with no confirmed dates as yet. You can see from the above
statement that the government and diocesan authorities are very clear that
particular conditions must be met and will be inspected.
As we await further information and updates from
the diocese I would like to again appeal for volunteers. Some people have come
forward but sadly with self-isolation, vulnerability, age and underlying health
issues they have had to withdraw. One of the official conditions for the
re-opening of churches is that there should be a good number of volunteers for
marshalling and cleaning when the church is open for private silent prayer.
Without the generosity and goodness of people coming forward it will affect our
future re-opening. I appeal to all our parish family who can safely volunteer
to please email me: sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Parishioners have contacted me in regards to making
donations but not through the online system provided by the diocese. If people
would like to donate making cheques payable to ‘St. Mary’s R.C Church’ then we
can bank these via the Post Office. One parishioner rather than saving her
collection each week and waiting until she can return to church has decided to
donate it via cheque. Thank you to all those who have donated online and set up
direct-debits.
When I receive more news and information from the
diocese I will let you know.
God Bless and keep praying
Fr. O’Brien