Fr. Dale’s Homily

Feast of the Holy Trinity

June 14-15, 2025

Gospel:  John 16:12-15

Before Michelangelo began carving his famous statue of the young David, he studied human anatomy.  He investigated how the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments all fit together to form a human arm or human leg.  He could investigate what lies under the skin to give the body its shape and contours.  Therefore, he began his masterpiece with an image based on his knowledge and appreciation of various models he had carefully studied.  Some say that Michelangelo “released” (if you will) the David figure from the stone.  All said and done, he sculpted as God guided his hands… much like, but better than, you and I did with Play-do as kids…!

When God created the heavens and earth, He had an image of the world in His mind.  When it came time to create human things; however, God did not need to study various models.  He has a very clear vision based on love and knowledge.  God created us in the image of His Son.

Proverbs speaks of God’s plan for creation as “God’s wisdom”.   This wisdom is portrayed as a person who lived in God’s presence and delighted in the works of God … especially in the creation of human beings.  But soon, the image of God in people was marred by sin.  Rather than live in the wisdom, humans misused their free will and decided to establish their own “moral standards” which drifted from God’s plan for what He created… and look where it has gotten humankind… not pretty, huh?

Paul tells us that God was not about to let His plan be destroyed.   God offered people a way out.  God gave a second chance.  God sent Jesus to ultimately die so that people would know God’s peace once more…

But, as we look around, do we see creation restored?  Is the world that we live in TODAY, what God had in mind when He first began to create?  These are not empty questions.  Reality and our-vision-of-faith butt heads and force us to ask:  DO WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS RESTORED GOD’s VISION FOR CREATION?  It is easy for us to become cynical and say that faith is just too idealistic.  But, overall, living in this world is not an easy thing to do… never has been… ought not be…

John tells us the solution to our quandary.  God sent to the world His Spirit of Truth.  This spirit is the very core “of love poured out”.

God created us without help.  For some, that is hard to believe but it is true.  The goodness we find in the world is proof that the Spirit is helping us make God’s plan for creation a reality.  So, you see, it is neither all about me nor all about you.  It is about us.

God had a wonderful image in mind when He began to create.  Evil had no place in that plan.  But once it was introduced by human beings’ disobedience, God revamped His plan and offered a second chance.  Every day we are called to live by the Wisdom of God; to live by a solid moral code of truth.  We have heard God’s word.  His Son came fulfilling that Word and WE are taught by their Spirit … thus, a Holy Trinty of action.   

Today’s feast presents us with a MYSTERY…not a problem, not a puzzle.  Paul suggests that we live with the mystery rather than define it and leave it alone not to be bothered or manipulated.

The blending of Father, Son and Spirit (like that of the body, mind and soul), helps us see a wholeness about God whom we can approach

any day,

any time,

any where.