No One will Fathom
Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalm 8:4-9 (2a); Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
It is not difficult to acknowledge the existence of God. There would not be Apple company without Steve Job, so there would not be the creation without the Creator. As no iPhone can make itself, so the universe cannot create itself. We are because God is; the universe would not exist if God did not exist. Already some of the ancient philosophers immersed in the world of paganism reasoned out that there could be only one God – the Source of all creation. This truth is affirmed by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. However, when it comes to the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the matter is not so obvious.
In the first reading, Lady Wisdom speaks about her pre-existence. God begot her (Prov 8:25) and shaped her (Prov 8:22) before the creation of the universe recorded in the book of Genesis (1:1-2:4). This thought reappears in the New Testament but with a difference. It is not wisdom but the creative Word – Logos – that was with God before time and space existed. And the Gospel states that “the Word was God” (John 1:1). Yet, before John’s Gospel was written, Christians already worshiped Jesus as God. It was the liturgy that led to correct theology. And not only the believers but also the angels bow down in adoration before Christ (Hebrew 1:6).
The psalm that we sing today during our liturgy refers to the incarnation of the Word of God and His ascension. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the author to the Hebrews tells us that the “man” made “little less than the angels” is Jesus Christ (Hebrew 2:7). But then, He is “crowned with glory and honor” and all things are put under His feet (Ps 8:6-7; Ephesians 1:22). God became man and humanity united to the Word of God sits at the right hand of the Father. Thus, we have here a clear example how the Holy Spirit led the first Christians to all truth (John 16:13).
This prophetic Spirit speaks through the Scriptures (Her 3:7), communicates His will during our prayers (Acts 13:2), and guides the missionary activity of the Church (Acts 16:6-7). And according Saint Paul, God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). No wonder then that the first Christians did not only worship God the Father and His only begotten Son. They also worshipped the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.
Till now, the revelation is clear and easy to grasp, but precisely now we encounter a challenge: how can three be one? We do not believe in three Gods, but in one God. The formula of our baptism uses the word “name” in the singular not in plural: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). But, at the same time, “He who is the Father is not the Son, He who is the Son is not the Father, and the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son” (St. Augustine). It was the Father’s voice that spoke from the cloud not the voice of the Trinity (Mark 1:11; 9:7). It was the Word of God that became flesh, not the Trinity (John 1:14). Finally, it was the Holy Spirit that appeared in the form of a dove (Mark 1:10), and not the Trinity.
The mystery of Holy Trinity was revealed by Jesus Christ and recorded for us in the Holy Scriptures. It remains the central mystery of our faith and life. But how much we can understand of it is another matter. We need to accept the truth of Jesus’ words spoken to Saint Faustina: “Who God is in His Essence, no one will fathom, neither the mind of angels nor of man” (Diary 30).
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalm 8:4-9 (2a); Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
It is not difficult to acknowledge the existence of God. There would not be Apple company without Steve Job, so there would not be the creation without the Creator. As no iPhone can make itself, so the universe cannot create itself. We are because God is; the universe would not exist if God did not exist. Already some of the ancient philosophers immersed in the world of paganism reasoned out that there could be only one God – the Source of all creation. This truth is affirmed by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. However, when it comes to the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the matter is not so obvious.
In the first reading, Lady Wisdom speaks about her pre-existence. God begot her (Prov 8:25) and shaped her (Prov 8:22) before the creation of the universe recorded in the book of Genesis (1:1-2:4). This thought reappears in the New Testament but with a difference. It is not wisdom but the creative Word – Logos – that was with God before time and space existed. And the Gospel states that “the Word was God” (John 1:1). Yet, before John’s Gospel was written, Christians already worshiped Jesus as God. It was the liturgy that led to correct theology. And not only the believers but also the angels bow down in adoration before Christ (Hebrew 1:6).
The psalm that we sing today during our liturgy refers to the incarnation of the Word of God and His ascension. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the author to the Hebrews tells us that the “man” made “little less than the angels” is Jesus Christ (Hebrew 2:7). But then, He is “crowned with glory and honor” and all things are put under His feet (Ps 8:6-7; Ephesians 1:22). God became man and humanity united to the Word of God sits at the right hand of the Father. Thus, we have here a clear example how the Holy Spirit led the first Christians to all truth (John 16:13).
This prophetic Spirit speaks through the Scriptures (Her 3:7), communicates His will during our prayers (Acts 13:2), and guides the missionary activity of the Church (Acts 16:6-7). And according Saint Paul, God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). No wonder then that the first Christians did not only worship God the Father and His only begotten Son. They also worshipped the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.
Till now, the revelation is clear and easy to grasp, but precisely now we encounter a challenge: how can three be one? We do not believe in three Gods, but in one God. The formula of our baptism uses the word “name” in the singular not in plural: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). But, at the same time, “He who is the Father is not the Son, He who is the Son is not the Father, and the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son” (St. Augustine). It was the Father’s voice that spoke from the cloud not the voice of the Trinity (Mark 1:11; 9:7). It was the Word of God that became flesh, not the Trinity (John 1:14). Finally, it was the Holy Spirit that appeared in the form of a dove (Mark 1:10), and not the Trinity.
The mystery of Holy Trinity was revealed by Jesus Christ and recorded for us in the Holy Scriptures. It remains the central mystery of our faith and life. But how much we can understand of it is another matter. We need to accept the truth of Jesus’ words spoken to Saint Faustina: “Who God is in His Essence, no one will fathom, neither the mind of angels nor of man” (Diary 30).
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
