Most Holy Trinity Sunday

Our readings for Most Holy Trinity Sunday are:

1. Proverbs 8: 22-31
2. Psalms 8: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
3. Romans 5: 1-5
4. John 16: 12-15

• Work/life balance
• We make a sharp distinction between play "to have fun" and work "to build something from smaller, less complex constituents."  But Wisdom seems to have done both at the same time during the creation of the cosmos.
• Do you think that God has "fun" at any time?
• When we say that we do something "just for fun" we usually mean that the activity has no meaning, no benefit aside from enjoyment.  Do you think God regards "fun" that way?
• If God found it fun to make all of creation, do you think that He still finds it very good?
• If God is disappointed in how things turned out, why does He not just start over?

• Has anyone seen my glory?  I seem to have lost track of it.
• In Ricky Menalo's piece Ang Katawan Ni Kristo the song builds to the climax: "behold the glory of God, we are the body of Christ."
• To the extent that we are the body of Christ, how does that show the glory of God?
• Where are we less than our full potential as families, parishes, the Church at large?
• How can we live that glory better?

• I would have hoped that hope is easier to come by
• Virtue has been defined as the ability to make it easy to do the right thing.  That only comes with steady practice, constant attention, and humility.  And that virtue is what gives us hope.  Not because we feel entitled, but because God has proven Himself over and over again.
• Think of someone in your life and think of a few of their virtues.
• How do you think that they got that way?
• What are some of the benefits that they enjoy because of those virtues?
• What would you be willing to go through to attain those virtues yourself?

• All truth is beautiful
• Today the church of St. Cyprian Long Beach celebrated the ordination of Michael and Mary Rutz to the permanent diaconate.  The service has breath-takingly beautiful in so many ways.  Much truth was expressed there, much beauty shared.
• Do you think that all truth can be captured in words?
• What role does music, art, sculpture, poetry, ... have in bringing about the Kingdom of God?
• Can the Church ever have too many artists?
• Clearly God has given different ones of us different amounts of talent.  What of us who have modest talents?  What is our role in this outpouring of truth and beauty? 

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Where is God calling me to have more fun?
2. Where is God calling me to glory today?
3. Where are my virtues getting tested and strengthened?
4. Where is God calling me to be beautiful today?

Quiet Time

We seem shackled to our agendas.
Consumed with questions and entreaties.
God, give me this, make that happen, tell me what to do.

And I think that God knows and appreciates the frenzy.
He knows the origin of the worries.
I'm sure that He just wishes that we be quiet long enough to hear the answers.

In brief moments of peace,
I imagine myself on a hillside overlooking the ocean,
Seated on the grass with Jesus next to me.

The sun is setting over the waves out to the west.
A great molten egg gently resting on the water.
As a crazy busy day draws to a close.

Neither of us is in a hurry to move on.
Time is passing, we both know this time will end.
Yet we can enjoy each passing now as it comes and goes.

Neither of us says anything.
Knowing that just being there is all that either of us needs.
Secure in the knowledge that we will be back here again tomorrow.

Sadly, I have a hard time finding that quiet hillside in my heart.
The demands of the day crowding out such "unproductive" time.
My inner restlessness deaf to the whispers of peace offered me.

Jesus, fan the embers of my love for you.
Help me to seek what alone satisfies.
Do not let me settle for less,

Than wasting time with you.

Shalom!