St. Augustine was walking along a beach – reflecting upon
God & the Trinity.
Saw a boy who was making a lake in the sand – ever try
that? – running back and forth to the sea.
He asks the boy – “what are you doing?”
“I’m moving the sea!”
“Well, it can’t be done.”
“How can you think that you can empty the depths of
God?”
How can we say we understand God completely?
And yet, like any relationship, new things are always
being revealed.
Some might remember the musical “Godspell” from 1970?
A well known song was “Day By Day”
Day by day, O dear Lord three things I pray.
-
to see thee more clearly
-
to love thee more dearly
-
follow thee more nearly
Day by day.
This song was not written for Broadway. Chee-Chester
It is a prayer written by St. Richard of Chichester, a
13th century English saint.
Perhaps it can reveal to us bit more about the
Trinity.
1) To see
thee more clearly
After my ordination, my sisters and I took our first
trip to Ireland – the country where our parents were born.
This is your uncle, this is your aunt, this is your
cousin.
Became part of a community – all who had a
relationship to my Father.
Trinity – a community of persons – we are united to
one another by our Father our Creator
2) To love
thee more dearly
Damien de Veuster – now St. Damien of Moloki
Had an amazing ministry to the leper colony on Island
of Moloki in Hawaii.
One day, after a long trek around the island, put his
aching feet into a tub of warm water. One foot did not feel the heat. He had
contracted leprosy.
Began his homily – “we lepers.” He became one with them.
God takes flesh and becomes one of us – Jesus, our
Redeemer
3) To follow
thee more nearly
A group of spiritual seekers were looking for God –
“help us find God” they asked the holy woman. She said – “No one can help you find the
place where God is.”
Why not?
“For the same reason that no one can help a fish find
the ocean.”
We are enveloped in the presence of God – the Holy
Spirit, our Sanctifier
And so we offer: the Prayer of St. Richard of
Chichester
Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus, for all the benefits
Thou hast given me,
For all the pain and insults Thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Savior, Friend and brother, may I
See thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by Day. Amen.
