Lord’s Day Reflection: ‘Transformed in the Holy Trinity’

By Fr. Marion Nguyen, OSB*

Begin with the end in mind. This is the second of the seven habits of highly effective people according to Steven Covey.

A similar idea is presented when Jesus recommends to the disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).

This is the official beginning of the life of the Trinity on earth because the Father sent the Son into the world and accomplished the work of salvation, and the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and believers.

Now is the beginning of the life of believers who are initiated into the Trinity. The presence of the Trinity must make all things new for us (cf. Rev 21:5).

The Trinitarian life changes our life and transforms it. It changes our life by becoming its new end, or, telos.

We no longer live for ourselves but for God by invitation (cf. 2 Cor 15:5; Jn 17:21). Thanks to this new ending, our life is transformed.

It need not be controlled by inordinate desires or inclinations; instead, these are tamed by wisdom, self-control, courage and according to their ability to bring us to our end.

A transformative effect of this reality is that our desires are not denied, but find deeper meaning and provide insight into the life to come.

The desire for food should no longer be a temptation for gluttony, but simply give life to the body. This alludes to the nourishment of the spirit by the Word (Mt 4:4) and to the nourishment of the Body and Blood for the soul (Jn 6).

Injustice must no longer be the occasion for outbursts of anger, but simply the recognition of a need for healing which can inspire personal commitment to acts of mercy (Mt 25:31-46) and increase hope. of the return of the Sun of Righteousness (Ml 4:2).

These are just a few examples of the transformative effects of the Trinity; the truth is that the Trinity encompasses everything.

Hadewijch of Antwerp, a 13th century mystic, imagined it in one of his letters: “God is in everything… God is the unitive storm which condemns or blesses each thing according to its value. He bears fruit in himself in his depth, according to the glory of the being that he is in himself.”

Start with the Trinity and everything will regain its dignity in the present Trinity and in the world to come.

* Abbot of Saint-Martin Abbey, Lacey, Washington