The Preface for Trinity Sunday’s Mass was proper to the feast
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
For with your Only Begotten Son and the Holy Spirit
you are one God, one Lord:
not in the unity of a single person,
but in a Trinity of one substance.
For what you have revealed to us of your glory
we believe equally of your Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
so that, in the confessing of the true and eternal Godhead,
you might be adored in what is proper to each Person,
their unity in substance,
and their equality in majesty.
For this is praised by Angels and Archangels,
Cherubim, too, and Seraphim,
who never cease to cry out each day,
as with one voice they acclaim:Holy, Holy, Holy…
The text reminds us that for all the virtue and value of tussling with the doctrine of the Trinity, and there is much of both, the most natural response is that of adoration – of love that begets love. Loved by God, and transformed by his love for us, we can love him in return and also show love for those around us. Love begets love.
Often our prayer can be busy and preoccupied with needs and wants. Quiet prayer of adoration can help us get things in proportion, the more complete turn to God for God’s sake, can even help us better distinguish our wants from our needs.
Images of the Trinity in the ‘Hidden Church’, Amsterdam. (c) 2008, Allen Morris.
Living Eucharist 