Sometimes we think of the Trinity as an obscure theological dogma that was probably invented sometime long after Jesus. While it may have taken a couple hundred years to figure out the language used to talk about God, our readings today show us the work of the Trinity in the very act of creation “in the beginning.” If we want to understand the Trinity, just looking around at creation is a good place to start.
Why do we look at a sunset and think it’s beautiful? Why does a mountain stream bring such peace? The same God who created sunsets and mountain also created us. And he made us to go together. Being made in the image of God, human beings have the ability to appreciate creation. We can even look behind creation itself to intuit and appreciate the Creator.
In creating the world, our first reading speaks of the role of “wisdom” personified. In fact, in Hebrew, the phrase “in the beginning” which starts the Bible could also be translated “in wisdom.” I love the description of the Spirit of God moving on the face of the waters at creation and wisdom “playing on the surface of his earth.” Isn’t it delightful to think of the Spirit “playing” as he creates the world?
The Spirit is still desiring to work his playful creative ways in our lives today. None of this world had to exist. We didn’t have to exist. Yet, the playful creative Spirit gave us elephants, ants, mountains, and even humans. Wonderful. Are you open to the Spirit “playing” around with your life? Maybe you’re a little too comfortable with what you’re used to. If the Holy Trinity created all this beauty and wonder up until now, imagine what else God could create in us if we let him in.