Category: FATHERS of the Church

One Minute Reflection – 7 June – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Readings: Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9, Psalm Daniel 3:52.53.54.55.56, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, John 3:16-18

“Whoever believes in him … might have eternal life” … John 3:16

REFLECTION – “Fools! … how is it that you can’t stop your prying investigations into the Trinity or be content to believe it exists, since you have for your guide the apostle who wrote:  “Anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb 11:6). (…) So let no-one put unnecessary questions to himself but, be content with learning what is contained in Scripture.

… Scripture tells us that the Father is both Source and Light:  “They have forsaken me, the source of living waters” (Jer 2:13);  “You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom” (Ba 3:12) and, according to John, “God is light” (1Jn 1:5).   Now the Son, is called a river, in relation to the source for, according to the psalm, “the river of God is full of water” (Ps 65[64]:10). And in relation to the Light, He is called splendour, when Paul says that he is “the refulgence of his glory and the very imprint of his being” (Heb 1:3).   Thus the Father is Light, the Son it’s refulgence… and, in the Son, it is by the Spirit that we are illuminated.   “May God give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation,” says Paul, “resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened” (Eph 1:17-18).   But, when we are enlightened, it is Christ who enlightens us in Him, for Scripture says: “He was the true light who enlightens everyone coming into the world” (Jn 1:9).   Moreover, since the Father is Source and the Son is called River, we are said to drink of the Spirit:  “We were all given to drink of one Spirit” (1Cor 12:13).   But, refreshed by the Spirit, we drink Christ since:  “They drank from a spiritual rock that followed them and the rock was the Christ” (1Cor 10:4). (…)

God alone is wise and the Son His wisdom, for “Christ is the power and the wisdom of God” (Rm 16:27; 1 Cor 1:24).   So, it is in receiving the Spirit of wisdom, that we possess the Son and gain wisdom in Him. … The Son is Life.   He said:  “I am the Life” (Jn 14:6).   But, it is said, that we are brought to life by the Spirit, as Paul wrote:  “The one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to our mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in us” (Rm 8:11).   But when we have been brought to life by the Spirit, then Christ will be our life … “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

When such a correspondence and unity exists in the Holy Trinity, who can separate either the Son from the Father, or the Spirit from the Son or the Father? …  God’s mystery is not communicated to our minds by demonstrative arguments but, by faith and reverent prayer.” … St Athanasius (295-373) Bishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Church – Letters to Serapion, no.1, 19

PRAYER – Firmly I Believe and Truly – St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is On
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son.
And I trust and hope most fully
In that Manhood crucified
And each thought and deed unruly
Do to death, as He has died.
Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong
And I love, supremely, solely,
Him the holy, Him the strong.

And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings, as His own.
And I take with joy whatever
Now besets me, pain or fear
And with a strong will I sever
All the ties which bind me here.
Adoration aye be given,
With and through the angelic host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.