In a not entirely original insight, Saint Ignatius reminds us that love consists in a mutual sharing of what we have. In love, one always wants to give to the other. In this vein, the Son and the Father and the Holy Spirit share everything that they are and have: their divinity, their eternity, their glory, their majesty, their power, etc. They are the perfect community of love, each with a
particular task towards the world: creation, redemption and sanctification, but among themselves, all with the same mutually-affirming love.
The love that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have spills out. It cannot be contained. It needs to express itself in love for others. For this reason, the world has been created. Jesus hasn’t come to earth on his own mission, or as a tourist. Rather, his mission is given by the Father, and
confirmed and continued by the Holy Spirit. The entire concern of the Trinity is for the salvation and sanctification of whatever has been created.
Thus, as he is leaving the world to return to the Father, the Son can be sure that the Holy Spirit will continue the work that he had begun, the work of reconciling all of creation to God.
How do I feel knowing that God is
totally, unconditionally in love with me? Can I even begin to imagine the love that exists between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? How can I be more genuine in my love for the people God sends my way?
Reflections by Peter Knox SJ
