13 Jun Thursday

For the Trinity Sunday second reading, It is the opening argument about reconciliation through the blood of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5. “While we were still helpless . . .” describes the human condition mired in the world. We think we are on are own, or free, or full of our own power to control our lives. It is the recognition of our helplessness before the mercy of God that is the beginning of faith. The blood of Jesus intervenes in this human condition to give us life and restores us to the Father just when on our own we had no way of accomplishing this.

Imagine a parent and child whose relationship has been broken, perhaps by the child’s willfulness. A chasm appears in the filial relationship, conversation and presence end. Paralysis sets in; there’s no movement. Here is exactly where the parent makes the first move, not out of judgement to keep up the antagonism, but out of mercy and desire to restore what has been broken. This is Trinitarian work because it is the work of the love that lays down its own life for the other. 5, 10-11 will go to use the word reconciliation three times. It completes what Paul began to say at the beginning of the chapter.