This final verse is one of the clearest statements of the Trinitarian nature of God in the New Testament. It is one of the great mysteries of our faith and one that is a stumbling block to many.
How can we even try to understand its meaning? Maybe it's not important to try and understand, but to reflect on its importance in our lives.
God is Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a community of love. When I was young, I was taught that the work of the Father was creation, the Son, salvation and the Holy Spirit, sanctification. So, within the Trinity there are distinctions and yet unity.
Paul states very clearly that there is one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all. He also lets us know that there are distinct roles that each of us plays but we are called to be one in love for all.
We are one family, all calling God, Father; we are saved by the actions of the Son who became one of us so that we could be "joint heirs with Christ" and filled with the Holy Spirit so that we may go forth and tell others of this great mystery.
The early Christians were well known for the love that they showed one another. I often try to imagine what the world would look like if all Christians came together in a single body of love as Jesus prayed that we would be. What a difference we could make!
Today is a great day to decide to become an example of the great Community of Love that is the Trinity.
