Trinity Sunday - Year C
As spring, slowly, moves into summer, a new season of the liturgical year is also beginning. Called Ordinary Time, this season is introduced on its first two Sundays by two feasts of dogma, that of the Trinity and that of the Eucharist. But, what is dogma and what does it have to do with the ever-changing seasons of our world and our lives? As defined by the church, dogma is a doctrine promulgated with the highest authority and solemnity. Today, the praying assembly celebrates the dogma of the Trinity, and in our celebrating, all present are invited to pass through dogma’s gateway so as to be fully and freely immersed in the mystery of Trinity.
Through the centuries, many have attempted to explain the dogmas and enunciate the mystery of Trinity in a variety of ways. Some have offered symbols intended to elucidate the three-in-oneness of God. An equilateral triangle, three interwoven circles, a trefoil, three fish formed into a circle, a shamrock – all have been held forth, at one time or another, as illustrations of Trinity.
Only at the end of the fourth century did the early theologians formulate what would thereafter stand as the Trinitarian dogma: “Father, Son and Holy Spirit are consubstantial, one Godhead, one power, one substance, of equal dignity and majesty, but in three perfect hypostases or persons”. In subsequent centuries, church Fathers, Doctors and mystics have attempted to explain the mystery and guide the faithful to a greater understanding of Trinity.
But understanding does not necessarily lead to contemplation, and contemplation, as author Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964) suggested, is the only worthy response to the mystery we celebrate today. It could be said that explanations are perhaps of less importance than experience. Our knowledge of God as Trinity is made possible by God, who has chosen to be revealed as Mother, Father, Son and Brother, and as living, loving Spirit. As parent, God has brought forth the created universe and even our very selves. As Son and Brother, Jesus has made known a God who hears our cries, who cares, who counts the hairs on our head and who loves so passionately as to become one of us, to suffer, for our sins, to die that we may live. As Spirit, God remains with and within us. These are the experiences of Trinity; these experiences become known in prayer, they are solidified and palpable through contemplation.
