Saturday, May 29, 2010

Why Does Trinity Sunday Follow Pentecost?

Tomorrow is Trinity Sunday. Why do we celebrate this mystery on the first Sunday after Pentecost? Here I thought I'd tackle that question.

The Centrality of the Trinity

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Trinity as the "central" mystery of faith. Here let me quote the Catechism in full.
Why is the Trinity so important? Well, theologically the Trinity is unique. Specifically, while all the other mysteries of faith describe what God does for us, the doctrine of the Trinity alone teaches us who God is in his deepest mystery. As the Catechism stresses: "It is the mystery of God in himself."

In fact, the centrality of the Trinity in Catholic theology and spirituality is evident from its prominence in the most recognizable of all Catholic prayers: the Sign of the Cross. While signing themselves with the cross, Catholics pray: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Given its significance then it is no surprise that the Trinity has its own feast day. But why do Catholics celebrate the doctrine of the Trinity this Sunday.

Theologia and Oikonomia

How is it that we know about the doctrine of the Trinity? Indeed, there is no single verse in Scripture which states it succinctly--i.e., "there are three divine persons who share on divine nature". How is it that God reveals the truth about his Triune life to us? Once again, let me turn to the Catechism.
In other words, God reveals who He is in His deepest mystery, i.e., His Trinitarian life, through what he does in salvation history (e.g., the oikonomia).
In particular, God is understood to reveal who He is in His deepest mystery in fullness in the coming of Christ and the Spirit.

First, God the Father sends the Son in the Incarnation:
"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me" (Matt 10:40).


". . . now I am going to him who sent me" (John 16:5).


What happens in salvation history is understood as reflecting the inner Triune life of God--i.e., what God does (oikonomia) reflects who God is (theologia). Thus, the sending of the Son and His return to the Father reflects the Triune life of God: the Son proceeds from the Father and the Spirit proceeds from the Father and (through) the Son.

Hence, after celebrating Pentecost we focus on the Trinity--the sending of the Spirit in a sense completes the revelation of Triune life of God.

In short--and obviously much, much more could be said--that's why we celebrate Trinity Sunday after Pentecost.

1 comment:

Sister Mary Agnes said...

Dr. Barber! When I saw your post was on the Trinity, I thought I would have to scroll down at least 10 times further to get to the end of it, since I know it is hard for you to be brief when you talk about the Trinity! ;)

You did a beautiful job of giving a clear, concise explanation of this feast. This is great material for meditation. Happy Feast of the Trinity!