You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way."
W e've all heard the unkind joke about apartheid in heaven where the Catholics, Baptist, Evangelicals, or Mormons don't know that other denominations have also been saved. Each sect lives in an isolated ward for all eternity, since discovering the others would disappoint them. Perhaps the mot refers to today's Gospel.
The Lord said he was going to prepare a place, dwelling, or dwelling place for us. He spoke this residence again in verse 23:
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
The Fathers of the Church, seeking to understand where the Lord is going with this cryptic prophecy, speak of perichoresis -- or indwelling -- which is described as "the interpenetration of the three divine persons of the Trinity." Although the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father, they occupy the same space or place. Moreover, the Lord will return to gather those who know, love, and serve him into that wonderful place.
Nor need we fear this intense union with God since every individual person who is saved and presented by the Son to the Father retains the dignity and integrity of their apartness. We experience that mystery in our families and church as we discover we love the Lord together as one and separately as many. How often do we discover that we do not actually know the one or ones with whom we have shared life through many years? And yet we know so much about each other!
A group of Marines, fresh out of basic training, shaven-headed and fit, may look and behave exactly alike. But those who work with them soon discover many individual differences in these look-a-likes, with an extraordinary range of talents, strength, and ability. The more we know one another, the less we resemble one another.
In theological discussion we assign various attributes to the three persons although they present as one God and there is only one God. We call God the Father the creator; God the Son, the savior; and God the Holy Spirit, the sanctifier; although they act as one, and each one creates, saves, and sanctifies.
I think there's a parallel in the story of a reasonably humble person who might be called a hero for what they've done. But this celebrated hero insists they have done nothing extraordinary, anyone would have done it, and they did it only because it had to be done. In fact, they might have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit who guided their thoughts, words, and deeds -- and arranged the opportune moment! -- to get it done.
The difference with the Holy Trinity is simply that their indwelling perichoresis is eternal, with neither beginning or end. It is always. Although in human society, three is a persistently shifting unbalanced number with two aligning against one and one against two, the union of the Trinity in one mind, heart, and will is complete and absolute.
Their union is also an invitation to know the God who provides a place for many billions of persons where everyone loves and is loved, sacrifices everything without hesitation, and receives unlimited blessings from everyone else with unrestrained gratitude. The Trinity is a happy place!
And finally, how shall we come to that happy place? You know the way.
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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.