Gospel Reflections for May 22 2016
Batter up!
A baseball player makes the sign of the cross as he steps up to the plate …then the opposing pitcher does too …leading the umpire to look up to heaven and fervently pray, “Lord, please don’t take sides …just enjoy the game!”
We affirm that God is a “Holy Trinity” whenever we make the sign of the cross and say “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
How can God be three persons and yet somehow still remain One? How can we understand that?
A natural example of “three in one” is simple H20, the scientific name for water. For example, as glacier ice it can powerfully reshape whole continents, as liquid water it is essential for life, and as steam it can drive the largest engines. Yet all these wildly different forms are all still simple H20. Glacier ice recalls God the Father forming the universe, flowing water recalls our Baptism in Jesus, and the energy of steam recalls the power of the Holy Spirit.
Calling on God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit helps. Whether as batter or pitcher, or anyone facing a challenge right now, it is good to connect with God as a Trinity. Why is that important?
Because it affirms that God is love personified. God is love, and the Trinity affirms a personal love that is a self-giving relationship between three persons that we acknowledge as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is a tremendous source of power and strength, enough to meet any challenge, whether facing a batter, a pitcher, a wild presidential campaign, terror attacks in the news, family issues at home, or problems at work.
If you are facing any challenge, then make the sign of the cross on yourself. Connect with the total self-giving love of God for you. There you will find strength, wisdom, and guidance. Those hurt by the Egypt Air crash need that strength now as well. It is no wonder we begin and end every prayer, “In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!”
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Image: Public domain work of art.
Amen.
Fr. Dave,
As you know, my extended family is heavily involved in baseball and softball. I’ll send your message to them and we’ll all take it to heart!
God bless!
Larry,
I hope they like it!
Love your commentaries Father Dave!!! They give us the precious essence to living our beautiful faith of love and joy!!!I I love the idea of three persons in one God!!! Moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee to love, appreciate, enjoy, fall in loveeeeeeeeeeeee with!!!! Our precious Faith is incredibly beautiful!! God creates us out of love, man sins, God sends His loving Son to teach us to love!!!He gives us Himself in the precious gift of the the Holy Eucharist,forgives our sins so that we can return to God and then sends us His spirit of love to fill our hearts and souls with love and guide us to a beautiful life!!!We are soooooooooooooooooo blessed!!! Love our precious faith, our Blessed Trinity and Dick and I love you Father Dave for giving us the gift of Jesus and your beautiful insights!!!!
Loveeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
Always love your insights into both our faith traditions and their connection to today’s world. I’ve always made the sign of the cross whenever I’ve seen an accident, funeral and if someone is stopped by the side of the road with car problems. A silent prayer that things turn out positive for them.
Yes, that is a great habit to do. The sign of the cross brings us to the center of our faith.
Thank you Father Dave for the beautiful explanation. I know you told us that before but we need reminders! God bless you. Love, Ed and Barbara
You are welcome!
Three persons… to guide, love and comfort me with just a simple gesture of the sign of the cross.
God bless you Fr. Dave today and for always giving insightful homilies.
Carol
You are weclome!
I have just finished reading Richard Engel’s book “And Then All Hell Broke Loose” two decades in the Middle East. How we loved your University talks about the Middle East, learned from your research and experience and consequently have a better idea of the history and the “Why” of events. Father Dave we would all be enriched by more of your talks on the subject .I hate to wait almost another year to get the opportunity to hear you again. The challenges of the Middle East are apparent everyday in our world. We pray to the Holy Spirit to give wisdom, fortitude and divine guidance to our government and the United Nations. And we pray for Peace. God Bless you and all you do. Carol.
Yes, pray for peace in the Middle East!
This commentary is especially helpful to me and to my husband Dave as we face our life. Thank you and blessings always, Joyce
God bless you both!
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. What a profound mystery. Why and how are we here? We are certainly not here of our own accord. As you say, the Son was given to us so that we could understand love. We are here because God wanted to make a creation that He loves. Does the Spirit inspire us to return his love?
Thanks for reminding us to acknowledge the power of love in the world.
You are welcome!
That was a homerun father Dave!
Thank you!
I really liked your water analogy. Thanks Fr Dave
I think the water analogy is the best I have ever come across.
Thank you Fr Dave for these beautiful reflections. In this Year of Mercy Adele and I are learning more on who our God is and that longing is always there non-stop and we have this burning heart of wanting more!
God bless you more in your ministry.
Thank you!
Since we cannot fathom the three distinct Persons as one, we’ll chalk it up as
“God is Love”
Perfect!
Good morning, Fr. Dave, how are you? One of the important lessons I’ve learned from The University this year is that when we pray Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Hosts – the reason for the three holies is because we refer to the Holy Trinity. I don’t know if a lot of people know this but I’d like to share this with you and anyone who doesn’t.
Take care and God bless.
Thank you!
Thank you, Fr. Dave!
You are welcome!