Today's readings made me realize that we as humans are a confused bunch. We like to tell ourselves and others that we can solve any problem, we just need to think hard enough about it or be more creative. When something great is invented, especially medically, or a great act of heroism is committed, we like to pat ourselves on the back and throw parties so everyone knows how smart, brave and hardworking we are. Still yet, we like to have lists of “great men” and accomplishments that we can go to for inspiration, role models to look up to, whatever will make us feel empowered and great. All of this, and no mention of who is really behind it all. No wonder we are confused when something doesn't go quite like we planned, or when something (normally awful and devastating) happens that shocks us and suddenly we think, I am human and life is frail.The only way to break out of this confusion is to look to the Author of logic and reason. Let us remember Isaiah 55:8-9:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
I'm glad I'm not God because I think it would be way to easy to get so frustrated with us. We think we have all the answers, know all the best ways of doing things. But alas, we do not! We can't even wrap our heads around God being three persons in one! From Father Michael: “God teaches us that 1+1+1=1, but all our mathematics classes have taught us that it equals 3.”
Father Michael explained the Trinity really well today. He compared the Trinity to the sun. The Father is like the sun, the light like Jesus and the warmth like the Holy Spirit. Each the sun, light and warmth are separate things that can be observed individually and the effects they cause can be seen. You can't have the sun without the light and warmth, and similarly, if you have light it wouldn't make sense not to have the others (warmth and the sun) too. Both the light and warmth come from the sun, and at the same time, the sun is light and warmth.
So trying to understand life, in the little things and the big, life-changing (and human-history changing) things is hopeless and doomed to fail without first understanding that God is running the show. Look to Jesus first, then the saints for inspiration. Let us not be led to believe the things we accomplish we've done on our own, and let us certainly not praise others for their accomplishments without first praising God for allowing it to be accomplished through them.
Now on to my second thought: Being misunderstood isn't our fault. The Trinity may be the most misunderstood idea of our faith, but that doesn't change or diminish it's value. God has made us just the way He wants us. So what if some (or most) people don't understand why we do certain things or flat out misunderstand who we are? Does that change who we actually are? No. We may be called to help others understand but I doubt this.Who God has made us will allow us to be what He wants and do what He needs. We need only to say “Yes” to God when he calls, and the more you say yes, the more He will call. It isn't for people to tell us what we are capable of. Only God himself, who has given us our purpose and knows our future can determine our potential. Do your best and God will do the rest.
AMEN!!!
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