Scripture Reflection, May 31, 2026, The Most Holy Trinity

Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 John 3:16-18

I was the kid who asked a lot of questions. And when the grown-ups answered, “That is a mystery, “ I thought they just didn't know the answer… or they just wanted me to stop questioning! Now that I am an adult myself, I realize that there are things one cannot wrap one's mind around try though we may. There is such a thing as mystery.

Today we celebrate the Trinity. And we are presented with a couple of mysteries. In each case, there are two truths which seem to contradict each other, yet are both true at the same time.

We believe in one God. Yet the faith of the church is that this one God is three persons, the Trinity. How can that be? It is a mystery. All the talk about using the term “person" in a technical sense doesn’t help. Neither does St. Patrick and his shamrock. God is one and God is three. That is the faith of the church and it is a mystery.

A second mystery comes at the end of today's gospel. John writes, "… Whoever does not believe has already been condemned. “ In some circles belief in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation… or even patriotic citizenship… is having a moment. Yet it is the faith of the church that two things are true: Jesus Christ is the door to salvation, and also, salvation is available to everyone. Though both truths seem to contradict each other, the church holds both to be true.

In the Vatican II document on the church, “Lumen Gentium”, after discussing the Church’s relationship to all those who believe in Christ, the document writes, ”Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the gospel of Christ or his Church, but nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience… those too may receive eternal salvation.” (#16)

The importance of belief in Jesus, yet the possibility of universal salvation… Both are true at the same time. That is the faith of the church. Mystery.

I wonder if aging makes us more comfortable with mystery. I wonder if that is God's plan… that as we face death, step out of this life and fall into the arms of our loving God, we do so unafraid… because we have become friends… with Mystery.

by: Pat Schnee, OPA