I had intended to write up a short meditation on the Blessed Trinity for last Sunday, however, a series of Internet and laptop charger difficulties impeded my enthusiasm. I do not wish, in fact, would not dare to attempt to write something lofty on such a sublime mystery but I believe that it will be beneficial, at least for myself, to note such initial thoughts.
In the realm of empirical scientific studies, one can approach nature, or a phenomenon with a desire to expose its hidden truths, whereby one can then manipulate what one unearths in order to exert mastery. A chemical may be mixed, poured, drank. A rock may be kicked, prodded, or broken in many pieces. Such a method or approach is not possible when we consider the Blessed Trinity.
Instead of idly jabbing at an item of matter, attempting to comprehend its nature. One must rather embrace what God wishes to disclose about Himself. In this manner of revealing truth concerning the inner-trinitarian life, man is utterly helpless before the Divinity. His accumulated knowledge and his technology falls to the earth, completely incapable of rising to to a mystery that the greatest of the angels must prostrate themselves silently before. Let us not forget, although the Trinity may be expressed using human language and categorisation, our thoughts and words fall so short of reality, that they could be designated as lies. It must not be forgotten however, that man by his reason alone can reach the conclusion that God exists, is good, is infinite, is uncreated et cetera. Yet even such descriptions stumble to express who God actually is.
I wish to conclude with a pertinent quote from The Imitation of Christ:
“What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity?”
In the realm of empirical scientific studies, one can approach nature, or a phenomenon with a desire to expose its hidden truths, whereby one can then manipulate what one unearths in order to exert mastery. A chemical may be mixed, poured, drank. A rock may be kicked, prodded, or broken in many pieces. Such a method or approach is not possible when we consider the Blessed Trinity.
Instead of idly jabbing at an item of matter, attempting to comprehend its nature. One must rather embrace what God wishes to disclose about Himself. In this manner of revealing truth concerning the inner-trinitarian life, man is utterly helpless before the Divinity. His accumulated knowledge and his technology falls to the earth, completely incapable of rising to to a mystery that the greatest of the angels must prostrate themselves silently before. Let us not forget, although the Trinity may be expressed using human language and categorisation, our thoughts and words fall so short of reality, that they could be designated as lies. It must not be forgotten however, that man by his reason alone can reach the conclusion that God exists, is good, is infinite, is uncreated et cetera. Yet even such descriptions stumble to express who God actually is.
I wish to conclude with a pertinent quote from The Imitation of Christ:
“What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity?”
I really should have stated however in this short piece:
ReplyDeleteKnowledge of the Blessed Trinity does not remain with words, utterances from the lips, or stays with ink blotts on a page. But it is a profound experience with the Creator, the Three in One, and One in Three, who invites us into the divine life. Such union can only be perfected with the dissolution of this body.