Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Romans 8:14-17
Matthew 28:16-20
Reflection:
"Fix in your heart that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other."
A "fixed heart" tells me that I am convicted about a relationship with God, of which the choice to be in relationship with this loving Creator is primarily God’s! I seek to "pay attention," which is primary for a "yes." In this Trinitarian relationship I have three-fold benefits. First, of "being myself," I am my own man, because I have the confidence of a loving Father. Second, that I can face the greatest threat to my ego, (what I feel like being and doing rather than the right choice) and do the right thing, because I have a brother, by adoption, who happens to have overcome, once and for all, the fear of death. And, third, even with that kind of understanding, I can lose it, when I know not what to do next. Then, there is a guidance system through the Holy Spirit that is with me, even if it is not humanly detectable.
For me that is living a "Trinitarian life." This is not magical but it contains a lot of mystery. And mystery is basically truth not revealed yet. This mystery of truth and love unfolds when I make a choice over feelings not to quit, not to give in, not to let popularity, power or perceptions fool me into conformity or mediocrity.
The word "adoption" assumes we know what it is to be lonely, or feel disconnected, abandoned or directionless. This is in the normal running of the "human race." When I review my relationship with the Most Holy Trinity, I find "it" in the very areas where I am striving to be honest, where I am seeking to persevere through a commitment, or have chosen, over feelings, to forgive again.
I believe I am on this path of relating to the Trinity in this three-fold way in order to accompany those along the way who are searching, trying to figure out the path upon which they find themselves. I am talking, especially, of those within my own family. The Trinitarian life is about constant healing, which I address constantly in so far as I make every effort to maintain relationships with those who are so abandoned themselves. I don’t worry about the outward signs that I am doing the right. I attempt to stay focused on being faithful to this three-fold relationship from which God’s Plan gets revealed.
Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P. is president of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School, Birmingham, Alabama.