Mtr Margaret Babcock

“I ask (the Father) to strengthen you by his Spirit–not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength–that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly in love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God!”
Ephesians 3: 14-19 (The Message)

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite icons is that of the Holy Trinity by Andrei Rublev. (If you haven’t seen it, bring up the image with a google search.)

There sit three figures representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit around an altar. They incline their heads toward each other, clearly interacting. In the background is a gnarled tree, symbolizing the cross, and on the table a chalice of wine.

If you look closely, on the front side of the solid altar is an opening about the size of a brick. It’s easy to miss. It looks like someone sketched it in as an afterthought.

Tomorrow, Trinity Sunday, we’ll celebrate the mystery of the Triune God. Today, let’s focus on that little opening.

Rublev included it intentionally to show connection with creation and humanity. It’s a portal existing between the divine nature of God and us.

I wonder, did Paul have something like this in mind when he prayed that “Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in”? Is there really a way to live so we take part in God’s very being?

Paul thought it possible. His prayer gives us a clue how.

For him, it’s all about love—planting one’s feet in love while exploring all the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Now, spiritual leaders can help us study scripture, pray, and meditate.

We can also act in love, extending care to others. But does that work transport us into the life of God?

Here’s where Rublev’s icon helps me see the reality of our relationship with God.

Notice, there is no door on that opening in the altar, surrounded by the three Persons and guarded by the chalice of Christ’s blood. Nothing blocks the divine nature on the Trinity’s end.

We humans may need to work on removing obstacles created by our wills and ways, but the flow of Love continues constantly from God.

So, no matter how inept we are with the doors we put up on our end, the truth remains that Christ is already, always, present, nourishing us from that portal as through an umbilical cord.

When we open to this truth, the breadth, depth and length of Christ’s love overcomes any other obstruction…and we indeed live in the fullness of God.

Blessings,

—Mtr Margaret