Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
First and second century extra-biblical documents of the Church tell us that new members were baptized with Saint Matthew's expression: "…in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In fact, we can suppose the Evangelist took the formula from the traditional practice of the Church and gave it to us as Jesus's parting word.
First century catechists who prepared candidates for baptism built their teachings around the same formula; and from their practice the Apostles Creed appeared. Many centuries later, when Pope Saint John Paul II called theologians and catechist to produce a catechism for our time, they adopted the same threefold schema. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an in-depth commentary on Jesus's farewell address.
Faith in the Holy Trinity is the foundation of our life as Church. If the Gospel message could be summarized in a few words – It cannot! – it might be this formula. But awareness and appreciation of this teaching are not where our faith begins. The Holy Trinity, in the taxonomy of our religion, is not Roman numeral I, Capital A, number 1, small letter a. Rather it is the end point, the conclusion of everything we have learned about God’s mercy and justice. We have a God whose name is “the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
We should notice that the Gospel formula begins with a singular, not a plural, word: name. The riddle is intentional. Although there are three names our God is singular. Pope Benedict XVI, writing as Cardinal Ratzinger, explained that we should not make too much of the numbers one and three.
Numbers and mathematics are human conceptions. They are remarkably useful for hard science but not so handy for counting mysterious things like people. If a general counts the casualties of a recent victory he might count the killed, maimed, and injured as three categories. The first two will never see combat again; the third might yet be useful. But if he counts the number of fathers, sons, uncles, brothers, and nephews along with the mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, and nieces plus the immediate and extended families impacted by the losses, his casualty list will be more substantial, but less useful.
“Three persons in one God” may define our belief but it tells us little about the God who speaks to us during our public worship and private prayer. It is more like a riddle, an enigma to inspire wonder, amazement, and gratitude. Who are we that such wonders should be revealed to us?
Trinity Sunday is the grand finale of our Easter season. If it ended with Pentecost we’re still shouting a week later. Our God has won! Our God is Good!
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.