“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. (Matthew 28: 19)
There’s a family I know that reminds me of the Trinity. Each member of that family is a unique individual with many outside interests and distinct qualities. Within the family are artists, musicians, scholars, business professionals, and adventurers. And yet their interests and qualities blend together so well that they are clearly all one family. Their individual interests flow from and support their common interest, which seems to be enjoying life itself and helping others to do so as well.
Communication flows easily among them, and love does, too. They hold each other in mutual respect and they each gain strength from the love and support of the others. To be in their presence is to enter more deeply into life.
When I was a kid, trying to understand the Trinity made my head ache. I think that was because we often approached the mystery of the Trinity as a math problem: three divine persons equal one God.
I was never that good at math. Now I think the best way to understand the Trinity is as a family unit. Families I understand. And because of the good families I have known, I’ve come to better understand God the Creator, God the Son, and God the loving Spirit between them.