A Nod to God5/25/2024 Trinity Sunday
Since tomorrow is Trinity Sunday, this reflection is in three parts. Part I I’m sharing the photo of a sailing ship that is so beautifully crafted that I used it for a homily on Trinity Sunday for our family Mass at St Ignatius many years ago. Trying to talk about the mystery of the Trinity is a challenge with any age group, but with children? I spoke of God the Father as being the Sea (or the Sea of Being), the Ship is Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the Wind in the sails that enables the ship to sail across the sea. And who has been more beautifully crafted than the Incarnation of God in the life of Jesus? You could say he was always in “ship shape!” Part II As I mentioned yesterday, I’m fortunate to be at the Cape this week. And that, of course, means many opportunities to ruin a nice walk on a beautiful day, trying to play the game of golf. This morning I was playing with three other golfers who were strangers to me. As I was listening to them speak of basketball, hockey, baseball, their families, and, of course, their golf games, I felt so out of place. I wished, in a way, that I were not so obsessed with God and cared more about scores and sports. I had this image of each of them beginning their day with a “nod to God,” acknowledging God’s existence and saying a prayer of gratitude for their loved ones or a prayer for healing for someone. I thought that for them a “nod to God” would be enough to sustain them spiritually. And here I was trying to plumb the depths of the mystery of God while playing a game of golf! Oh to just focus on hitting the ball and not “batting around” questions of God in my mind! So, when I returned from the course, of course, I began to write a poem…. A Nod To God. A Nod to God Sometimes I wish A nod to God Were good enough for me. I envy those folks for whom a nod to God, a tip of the hat, a Howdy-do suffices for the day. Why must I immerse myself in mystery, scanning the skies for signs of divine whys and wherefores, where others keep their eyes on the ball, and bat around scores of the games people play? I’m lost at sea, left high and dry when others get along swimmingly. with just a nod. My mind's a muddle with a nod to God Nowhere Near enough? If only I would receive A nod from God, That could be more than enough. Some recognition That I AM knows That I am Looking, longing, leaning in For a tip of the hat, A Howdy-do From You. There may be more to come from this poem. Will see. III Since it is Trinity Sunday, I share with you “A Paean for Poenies” which I wrote for this Sunday in 2020. “Perichoresis” is a divine dance. It was a Greek term used to describe the inner life of the Trinity. a_paean_for_peonies.docx
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Leave a Reply.AuthorAs an ordained Catholic priest for 45 years and a member of the Jesuits for 57 years, I've had a great deal of "spiritual" experience! This is a place where I can continue to share my thoughts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and what it means to live the "mystery of God." Categories |
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