A Few Words On "The Word"

June 3, 2007
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year C

Proverbs 8:22-31
John 16:12-15

Beyond History

History is a very fascinating subject. I know that some of you may feel it's really boring but history gives us the opportunity to put our lives in perspective. We're fortunate enough to live at a time in which science has helped us understand much more about history. Scientists now believe that the earth is about 4.5 billion years old. When you start to think about it you begin to realize how truly short our lives are in the grand scheme of things.

So why would I want to talk about history and how old the earth is? That's science - right? What does it have to do with being a Christian? Last week we took a look at the many instances throughout Jesus' life that foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit. This week's readings take us even deeper into the history of our salvation, the history of Jesus.

The first reading for this week is somewhat unique in that it comes from the book of Proverbs, part of the Old Testament's wisdom literature. In this passage, wisdom, who is often depicted as a woman, tells us a little about her own history. She beautifully explains that she existed with God before the earth was created!

As Catholics we believe that Jesus existed with God for all eternity as the Logos, or Word. Therefore, we can look upon the character of wisdom in Proverbs as that part of the Trinity that will later be incarnated as Jesus. When we make this connection, it suddenly dawns on us that God planned Jesus for all eternity. All of God's actions lead to the moment in history that will see Jesus walking the earth. You think the earth is old? We can't even talk about God in terms of time or age - it's totally irrelevant!

Jesus is the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity. He is the prime example of how much God desires for us to know Him. Jesus' life and today's gospel reading back this up. Not only does God send Jesus, he also leaves us the Holy Spirit to help us continuously understand who He is.

So, besides being really neat, what does this have to do with us? What's truly amazing is that despite the fact that God is something so grand, something so eternal, something so incomprehensible, God still manages to remain closer to us than the very air we breathe. Above all else God desires us to know Him in a personal way. God's work throughout history and His reality as Trinity has been an attempt to make Himself known so that we in turn can know Him and in doing so live for others under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection Question

In what ways to do make an effort to know God more, to personally learn about who God truly is?

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