Paul “boasts” of his afflictions, not to be proud of them but to remind his readers that the Christian life can sometimes require suffering and sacrifice for a greater good.

In parishes across the Christian world, preachers commenting on the teaching of the Trinity will be sorely tempted to say something about Saint Patrick’s shamrock. Variations on this theme, in my experience, have included tricycles (three wheels, bearing the faithful along in one direction) and the U.S. government (three branches—executive, legislative, judicial—one purpose, to serve the people!).

“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.

I was visiting my great-aunt in a nursing home, and while waiting for her to return from physical therapy I turned to talk to one of the older patients. An aide teased, “Don’t ask how he is, you’ll have to sit through an organ recital.”

The employees at an international publishing house specializing in encyclopedias and world data were just as one would imagine—culturally diverse, well-educated, bookish, and respectful of others’ beliefs and social mores.

The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit. To share that love with others, we pray.

Theologians have written about God’s nature for centuries, yet we call it a mystery. Perhaps it is better to accept the reality of this Trinity and experience it through that love God shares with us rather than try to explain it.