My Beloved

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” (Jn 3:16)
 
Cistercian Fathers and Mothers are not known for what they had to say about the Trinity.  What was written usually took the form of worship, rather than speculation.  I notice that that the readings, antiphons and hymns for today’s feast are somewhat of the same ilk: they do not probe the mystery, so much as adore it.  The scriptural texts, including the one chosen as today’s gospel, suggest rather than define, emphasizing the relational quality of the Trinity, that is bound together by love and reaches out in love.  The relationship between Father and Son is alluded to in certain key episodes of the gospels:

Baptism: The Father sends the Spirit to rest on his Son with the words, “You are my beloved Son” (Mk 1:11).

Transfiguration: as the Son reveals himself to the disciples, the Father ratifies this with the words, “This is my beloved Son” (Mk 9:7).

Gethsemane: Jesus prays to his Father in desperation: “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want” (Mk 14:36).

Crucifixion, death, descent: Father and Son are pulled apart, the unbreakable bond of the Spirit stretched the distance between heaven and hell, so as to encompass all.  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34).

Resurrection, Ascension: The Father takes the Son by the hand and lifts him up, drawing him back to himself.  “I am going to the Father" (Jn 14:12, 28; 16:10).

Pentecost: The Father and the Son send the Spirit to take up permanent residence in the heart of believers.  “We will come to them and make our home with them” (Jn 14:23).
 
Father, Son and Spirit welcome us into their midst: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn 14:3), and they invite themselves into our midst: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (Jn 14:23).  Here we have impenetrable mystery revealed as absolute intimacy.

We are caught up in an unbreakable bond.  Because the Spirit dwells within us, the Father looks on us and sees his Son, “My beloved.”
 
O voiceless song
incredible harmony
impossible silent crescendo
that builds beyond and beyond
beyond all reach of my wonder
ever newly unfolding
unimaginable melody - -
You are the Song
the Father sings to the Son.
You are the Song
the Son sings to the Father.
You are the Holy Spirit.
I listen to your tumultuous silence
within.
 
(Mother Agnes Day)