Take a moment and think about someone you love very much. Now, describe them in one word. That’s very difficult if not impossible. You were probably thinking of your spouse or your parent(s) or one of your children or a sibling. The endearing qualities, the virtues of soul and strengths of character and shared life experiences are what probably come to mind. And that quickly leads us to share stories of what they mean to us, and why.

Now, think about God. You are more likely to talk about how you experience God rather than describe this unique relationship in one word or phrase.

When we first became aware of the world around us, and our place in it, wonder was born in us as we realized that all of this had been made or created by someone. We think of God first as a creator or parent we call Father. As we grow older we discover that not all people are “nice” or caring and that some people are responsible for some very bad deeds. Reflecting on that, we understand that we could have been part of the evil in the world.  But God saved us from that and we think of Him as a brother, a Saviour, a Redeemer whom we call the Son. And as we reach out to others in compassion and care, and fall in love, and bring life into the world and feel the pain of loss we know that God is present in yet another way…as a Consoler and Helper and Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit.

Three different persons yet the same God and the love that sustains that relationship we call the Trinity. It is what God wants for each of us and all of us. That sounds simple enough so try not to get caught up in making it complicated and impossible!

It can happen in the closest of families and even among lifelong friends. A disagreement, a “falling out” a misunderstanding, a sin of commission or omission can place a distance between and among people. These often seem impossible to heal or overcome or forgive.

It happened to Jesus and His chosen disciples. At His last supper with them, they shared the Eucharist for the first time. He empowered them to do the same, in service and love to others. And He would always be present in the Eucharist.

Their response was to run away and abandon Him when he was arrested. Peter, chosen to lead the others, would deny he even knew who Jesus was. They scattered and argued over what they should do. The Father raised Jesus from the dead! The disciples came together in fear and hid.

But Jesus didn’t bear a grudge or hold a resentment or cut them off. Rather He came among them and forgave them and gave them the gift of His peace and empowered them with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then even strangers could recognize the unity and love among this rag tag bunch of apostles. Pope Francis says, “the peace bestowed on the apostles (and on us and on our Church) does not bring freedom from problems, but brings peace in problems”. This peace and its freedom draw us together again, to forgive, to understand, and to allow love and care to regrow and strengthen life giving bonds of love, faith and friendship.