Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Jn 3:16-18
June 4, 2023

A recent headline caught my attention: 1-in-10-million rare white bison born at Wyoming State Park. (CBS News Service) Bear River State Park announced the “new arrival” in mid-May. The article went on to give a brief explanation of the genetics at play, then concluded with a quote from the National Park Service.

A white buffalo calf is “the most sacred living thing on Earth” to some Native American tribes, including the Sioux, Cherokee, Navajo, Lakota, and Dakota. Some American Indians say the birth of a white calf is an omen because the birth takes place in the most unexpected places and often happens among the poorest of people. The birth is sacred within the American Indian communities because it brings a sense of hope and is a sign that good times are about to happen.

Although a “living story” that has undergone changes among the various Tribes and over the span of about 2,000 years, the core message is strong and unchanged. The Creator sends the White Buffalo at critical times to inspire people to pray for peace and harmony in the world. The legend goes on to cultivate an appreciation for the omnipresence of The Spirit in nature.

One can’t help but to recognize “a hint” of the Triune Nature of God in this ancient legend. The Native American images of The Divine bring to mind the Divine Reality we celebrate today…the Divine Reality in which we are baptized…THE HOLY TRINITY…FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT.

What we celebrate today is more than legend. Jesus Christ is God’s Promise fulfilled. Jesus Christ is God’s perfect and non-repeatable Self-revelation. Scripture tells us:

There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Jesus Christ’s unique and unrepeatable power to save is rooted in His relationship with The Creator and The Holy Spirit…One God in Three Divine Persons. Many great and wise minds have bent to the task of explaining this sacred mystery. But, in truth, it is beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Even St. Augustine acknowledged that if we understand it, then what we understand is not God.

Nevertheless, as is evident from The Legend of the White Buffalo, God has given humankind an instinct that enables us to enjoy a glimpse of the Divine Nature. And through these “hints” together with what we read in Sacred Scripture, we can be certain of this much: The Creator desires to communicate with us, the most treasured and valued of creatures. And God also desires that we, in turn, communicate with Him.

Sometimes we do this by directing our prayers to The Father. Other times, we speak to Jesus. And, finally, there are times when it is The Holy Spirit Whose company and counsel we seek. The Mystery of the Trinity tells us that to speak to One is to speak to All! And the message communicated by Each is one of perfect and unconditional love.

That is all we can really know…but actually…what more do we need to know?