June 15, 2025 – Theme: God's Joy in Community – The Trinity as the Source of Our Life
Bible Readings: Proverbs 8:22–31, Romans 5:1–5, John 16:12–15
Thoughts for Trinity Sunday
Dear Prayer Atelier Friends,
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity. At first, it might sound very abstract – three persons, one God. But the Bible readings this Sunday show us not just a complex idea, but a living relationship – within God and with us.
1. God’s Wisdom – Beginning of Creation and Joy in Humanity (Proverbs 8:22–31)
In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, Wisdom speaks like a person: “The Lord created me at the beginning of His work … I was His delight day by day and played before Him all the time.”
Wisdom was there before the world began – when God made the heavens and set the limits for the seas.
The Stuttgart Study Bible explains that Wisdom here is shown as something like a person who takes part in creation and has a cosmic, almost divine role. In Jewish thought, this idea connects with the Christian understanding of Jesus as the "Word" (John 1:1ff). Wisdom’s joy in humanity shows that she is close to people and part of God’s loving relationship with creation .
The New Jerusalem Bible adds that Wisdom is the "original image" of creation. The poetic words in Proverbs 8 try to express how God creates joyfully with Wisdom. Wisdom is close to humankind, showing a deep connection between Creator and creation.
In Christian thought, Wisdom is often seen as pointing to Christ – “the firstborn of all creation” (see Colossians 1:15).
One beautiful sentence stands out: “My delight was to be with humans” (Proverbs 8:31). This tells us something very important: God enjoys being with people. God is not distant or cold, but loving and relational.
2. Peace and Hope through Grace – God Turns to Us (Romans 5:1–5)
Paul writes that through Jesus, we have peace with God. And this peace helps us, even when life is hard. He writes: “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
The Elberfelder Study Bible says that suffering isn’t the opposite of hope – it’s where hope grows. When we face difficulties and stay strong, we grow spiritually. God’s Spirit is poured into our hearts and gives us real, living hope – not just a promise (Elberfelder Bibel mit Erklärungen, 2023).
The New Jerusalem Bible says that this is not automatic – suffering doesn’t always lead to healing. But in faith, as we hold on during hard times, we grow in hope. And the Holy Spirit is the sign that this hope is real.
I remember the story of a woman from an evangelical church. She was going through a crisis – illness, separation, job loss. She kept repeating the verse: “God’s love has been poured into our hearts…” And even in the chaos, she felt peace. Strength in the middle of weakness.
3. The Spirit of Truth – Jesus Reveals What We Can’t Yet Understand (John 16:12–15)
In the Gospel, Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit – the “Spirit of Truth” who will guide the disciples into all truth. He won’t create something new, but will share what Jesus has received from the Father.
These words come from Jesus’ farewell speech. He knows the disciples can’t understand everything yet. But He promises them guidance. That’s comforting: Our faith doesn’t need to be perfect. There’s space for growth, for questions, even for not understanding everything.
The Stuttgart Study Bible notes: The Spirit doesn’t lead to a new truth but brings us deeper into the truth of Jesus. It’s not about something different, but about growing deeper. This shows the unity of Father, Son, and Spirit – the Trinity.
The New Jerusalem Bible adds: These verses show how God reveals truth through the Spirit. Truth isn’t a finished thing – it’s a journey we walk with the Spirit, always in unity with the Father and.
A Catholic woman once said during a retreat: “All those theological words confused me. But when I prayed to the Holy Spirit for insight, suddenly my heart opened. I understood – not with my head, but with my heart.”
That’s the work of the Spirit: leading us deeper into truth and into love.
4. How the Readings Connect: The Trinity is About Relationship
All three Bible readings show us that God desires relationship. In creation – Wisdom was with God. In salvation – Jesus brings peace and hope. In the present – the Holy Spirit guides us. The Trinity is not isolation. It is eternal love, eternal community, eternal exchange.
St. Augustine said: “God is the Lover, the Beloved, and the Love itself” (De Trinitate VIII,10).
St. Catherine of Siena said something similar. She saw God as a fire that does not destroy but gives light and warmth: “Eternal Fire – in you there is no hatred, only growing love.”
Call to Action: Become Part of God’s Relationship!
Dear friends,
The Trinity is not a math problem. It’s an invitation. God wants a relationship with you. Let the Spirit lead you. Accept the love of Jesus. Open yourself to the Father. You don’t have to understand everything right away. Just ask the Spirit – He will guide you step by step.
And be a mirror of this divine relationship – in your family, your job, your community. Wherever love, joy, and truth are lived, GOD’S TRINITY becomes visible.
Prayer:
“Holy God, eternal community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we thank You that You know us and still love us. Open our hearts to Your truth. Give us calm thoughts in times of trouble and hope that lasts. Let us live united with You – in joy and responsibility. Amen.”
Sources:
1. Elberfelder Bibel mit Erklärungen. Witten: SCM R. Brockhaus, 2023
2. Stuttgarter Erklärungsbibel. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2023
3. Neue Jerusalemer Bibel. 3rd ed. Freiburg: Herder, 2016
4. Augustine, On the Trinity (De Trinitate). Trans. Wilhelm Geerlings. Freiburg: Herder, 1991
5. Teresa of Ávila and Catherine of Siena in: Peter Dyckhoff (Ed.): The Great Mystics, Freiburg: Herder, 2016
6. Vatican News – Gospel of the Day: Link
7. Bible texts: www.bibleserver.de