Trinity Sunday - Amazing Reality

Last week I used physics in my homily and someone challenged me to include string theory. I said I could do it. But don’t worry, not in this homily. BUT…  Wherever you are, reach out and touch something; hold onto it. What do you hold? Now, what if I were to tell you that you are not actually touching anything. That in reality at the very very very small level, the electrons that form the atoms on your skin are reacting to the electrons on the atoms of the object you are trying to touch and there is space between them. There is actually no physical contact with the object.  Freaky eh? Now, on the day to day it really doesn’t matter. But still, the reality that we perceive is not always the fullness of the reality that exists.

This is a very Catholic sensibility by the way.

Think of the definition of a sacrament: a visible sign of an invisible reality. We believe that through objects and words a deeper reality is being communicated to us. A Reality that is much greater than we can actually perceive. Which means that the reality that we perceive and live in has so much depth to it.

God of course is that invisible, deeper reality, the reality that pervades all and all. God, the ultimate in mystery, which means we can explore and explore and explore and never come to an end. God is the infinite horizon.  God wants us to know God. God created us to know God, to be with God and to work with God. God invites us to dive into the mystery of who God is and find a greater reality and to be amazed at life and more importantly to participate in LIFE.. Amazing!

God communicated with humanity through symbols and signs, through the prophets and scripture, then in the fullness of time God communicated through the Son. Jesus the fullness of revelation of God comes to invite us to know the Father through him, with him and in him.

Jesus reveals that God is Trinitarian, Three and One.

How??? Don’t get focussed on mechanics, and don’t get focussed on the “gender” specific language, but the unity of Trinity comes through the mutual giving of self of the persons. The Father gives totally of himself to the Son who accepts all that the Father gives, and in return the Son offers all that he is back to the Father who accepts him; and this mutual sharing becomes the person of the Spirit. The same Spirit given to us. Think on that for the next couple of millennia.

There is so much wonder and beauty in this world, to this creation and to our faith. God reminds us of this, our teaching as Catholics reminds us of this.  

Our belief that God is one and three, our belief in our sacraments calls us to engage in this world and creation, to go deeper, to seek the wisdom that exists and be amazed.

Whether it be those amazing Hubble photos that have been produced or the amazing Webb Telescope photos that will be released here in weeks.

Or stopping to admire the rich landscape of Northern Nevada, the Sierra and desert, the way the sun changes over the months.

Or the intense yellow columbine right outside this church building.

Or the mystery of the person sitting beside us, behind us, in front of us.

Or the mystery of the person on the street homeless and in need; the so called enemy, the child conceived; the one on death row;

and the one in the mirror.

Sometimes we forget this beauty. Sometimes we get so busy, so tired, so overwhelmed, we forget God wants us to pay attention.  Sometimes we get too wrapped in our own pain, our own fears, grief, anger, our own needs…we forget there is a bigger reality out there than me, myself and I. We forget that we too are part of a community, a family.

A reason, but certainly not the only one, to come to Eucharist each week is to be pulled from ourselves, to be reminded of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; to be reminded of a greater, beautiful reality; and to be sent forth to participate within it.

We go out from Eucharist to love, to give ourselves to others, to be patient and humble, merciful and kind, all those attributes of God that Jesus reveals. We live this way, not to earn grace or credit with God; but to engage with God and a greater reality.

We go to grow, and if grow, be changed. If changed, then be more true to who we are as the Children of God.

I think a sign of spiritual stagnation, even emotional stagnation is we no longer see reality for all that it is. We only see the “me” and “my” situation. We won’t see God at work.

Time to open our eyes, minds and hearts a little bit more?