Most Holy Trinity (Fr. Simham)

I remember a wonderful story I read from Leo Tolstoy. Its about a bishop in Russia who once when he was travelling by boat heard about an island where only three men lived. He decided to visit them out of his pastoral love and care. But many objected saying “The old men are not worth your pains. I have heard said that they are foolish old fellows, who understand nothing, and never speak a word, any more than the fish in the sea” (Tolstoy, p.3).But he insisted that he should go. He went and saw them. He asked them how they pray. They said we pray saying “Three are ye, three are we, have mercy upon us” (Tolstoy, p.4).” But bishop insisted that they should learn at least the “Our Father……” So he stayed the whole day and taught them ‘the Lord’s prayer.’ And towards the evening he left with great satisfaction. But after some time he saw the three old me speeding up in their boat to ask “ Bishop, how to begin the prayer, we forgot.” And the bishop seems to have said, “Don’t worry about what I taught you, go and pray the way you know best to pray, “Three are ye, three are we, have mercy on us.” This story tells us that for a simple believer, doctrinal accuracies do not matter.

On this trinity Sunday I am going to reflect on the mystery of the Trinity with this simple faith. Because I strongly feel that for those who believes it, nothing is needed to prove, but for those who do not believe, nothing can make them to believe.

Trinity for me is not someone or something that is in my head I need to reason out to believe, but Trinity is something or someone I experience everyday in my life. Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are not up there in the sky about whom you have to reason out and believe. They are here and we encounter them everyday.

God the Father is giver of life and giver of every good thing in my life. Every day you and me see so many beautiful things and experience so many blessings. Where do they come from? Everyday when you and me experience the beautiful sunshine, showers, success, Don’t you see the hand of God the Father in these? And the message of God for you and me? I love that hymn which says “Every tiny star that twinkles in the night sky and every drop of morning dew, every pretty butterfly, everything that wriggles-by, tells the fascinating news to those who dare to hope. And the message is God still loves the world.” Friends, for those who have eyes to see, the whole world is a manifestation of God’s love. In everything that is created beautifully We can see the Father and feel so close to him. So for me, God the Father is not a concept of the mind but a reality I look at everyday.

Secondly, Jesus Christ my redeemer is someone whom We encounter everyday. It is he who lifts us up when we fall. Every time you forgive someone or forgiven by someone don’t you feel his presence? Every time you participate in the Holy Eucharist and receive his body and blood, don’t you feel so close to him? Every time you make your confession, don’t you feel his forgiving love? Yes! It is in these sacraments we encounter him and feel so close to him. And every time you come across a person in need, don’t you see Jesus in him? So Jesus Christ redeemer is not someone who lived some two thousand years ago and lives in the pages of history, but he is someone who lives even today. He said “Lo! I will be with you un till the end of time.” He is there. Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you have done it to me.” So we can see him everyday.

And finally, Holy Spirit the sanctifier, the Paraclete, the counsellor is also part and parcel of our daily life. Holy Spirit is the guide. He is the one who inspires every good work. Every time we see some good things done or some good things said, we can feel his presence. Life is full of choices. And it is he who helps us to choose the best. All the great things you achieve are possible because of the holy Spirit. It is he who is giver of gifts and talents. It is who brings our efforts to succeed. Trinity is a reality, not just a doctrine. It we humans who dispute with each other to see whether they are equal to each other or subordinate to each other and so on. But God is love. And there is perfect love existing between the three persons of the Trinity. Perfect love has no subordinates only equals.

So in conclusion, let me you give some practical tip to see how we can make the trinity part and parcel of your life. Each day before you go to bed, take five minutes: for the first one and half minute, think of all the good things that you experienced or the blessings that you got that day and thank the Father for that. For the next minute and half, think of anything where you failed to do well, your sins, and ask Jesus for forgiveness. And for the final minute and half, think of the thinks that you need to do the next day, and ask the holy Spirit to lead you. End up with “Our Father…” Make Trinity part and parcel of your life. Amen.

Fr. Showreelu Simham