Just a word before we go...Feast of the Holy Trinity...June 12, 2022
On this feast of the Most Holy Trinity, I find myself pondering...not the enigma that we Catholics refer to as the Blessed Trinity, for that mystery would be too sublime for the likes of me. No, I am finding myself fascinated by the events I experienced this past week, and curious about how to place those experiences within the context of my understanding of what the Trinity represents to me, to us.
The image of the Trinity that most resonates with me is that of Andre Rublev, whose 15th century icon shows figures representing Father, Son and Spirit seated in a circle, heads inclined toward one another, a position suggesting equality as well as a mutuality of listening, concern, compassion, and reciprocity. Scripture tells us that we are created in the image and likeness of God. If that is so, then it is not a stretch to recognize that the relationships among the creator, the redeemer and the Spirit, as suggested by the icon, are trying to show us something about how we are supposed to be with one another.
As Christians, professing belief in the Trinity, we are to commit to living in relationships, the hallmarks of which are equality and mutuality, loving and bring loved. Our communities are to be places where everyone is equal in dignity, and engaged in mutual service; where everyone has something to share with another; where all are welcome to bring offer their gifts to the community.
This past weekend I attended my college reunion in Boston, with over 100 of my classmates. Monday and Tuesday were spent co-directing a retreat at Mercy by the Sea in Madison, for women who were homeless or living in shelters. Since returning home, I have been pondering these two groups of women, coming as they did from such dramatically different circumstances, and have come to realize that they had more in common than one might think. Although differing economically, educationally and socially, the women in both groups were so happy to be together; they laughed loudly and long at each other’s happy stories and memories; they cried on hearing the sad stories we each have to tell. They took delight in the gifts of creation...in Boston, enjoying the gorgeous weather and the chance to be out and about again as in years gone by with some of our favorite people; in Madison, again with beautiful weather, the chance to be outside, in a safe environment, walking the beach or the grounds, and even wading in the water, after some urging by Sister Eileen! Both groups listened intently to others, supporting one another with acceptance and compassion. In Boston, the gifts given and received were the renewal of old friendships and the sharing of memories; in Madison, the gifts were new connections, mutual support, and surprisingly, from the two most vulnerable and compromised women, the gifts of their song and their art. Amazing!