Trinity, Mystery, and Presence

Louisa Ikena reflects on the mystery of the Trinity with the aid of a story of grief and the value of silence with an emphasis on God’s presence everywhere. 

Come, Holy Spirit. Every moment of every day, come. Lead us, guide us, animate us. I worship You as the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. 

How Can Three Be One?

The Trinity is one of the mysteries of our Faith. How can three be One? And how can we begin to wrap our human minds around God? 

I do not have an answer, but I do have a story. Right out of college, I had the privilege of doing full-time missionary volunteer work in Arizona with youth mainly from the Yaqui and the Tohono O’odham tribes. In the first month I was there, the father of one of the youths died by suicide. 

I was new. I was awkward. And I did not have a clue what to say or do. But what I ended up doing, I think, was what was needed. I sat in silence with the girl, along with many other people who were there to support the family.

There were no words to be said. There was no to-do list to attend to. We simply sat. 

I have no idea if she remembers that her new youth minister sat near her at her father’s funeral, but I remember. The Holy Spirit was teaching me the gift of presence. That moment was more than 25 years ago, but I will never forget that lesson for me in the silence. We are not alone, no matter what we are going through. God cares about the details of our lives. God weeps when we weep. And I believe God laughs when we laugh. 

God Is Present Among Us

Acknowledging God’s presence everywhere: that is what is before me to do. I have been taught a missionary is called to bring awareness of God’s love wherever we are. I do not somehow bring Jesus to anyone. I strive to point out His presence because, rest assured, He is already here. 

The fact that God’s presence is everywhere helps me see the moments when I have not acknowledged His presence. Those moments are ones I am not proud of. In those moments I forget the presence of God, or, worse, I try to take over. (Thank You, God, for the sacrament of Reconciliation.) 

If I had let my head override my heart while I was sitting with the girl at her father’s funeral, I perceive I would have caused great harm. That bleak fact is why I can tremble with fear when I reflect on my life. Our words have power. The power can be for the good, and it could be for the bad. One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit is called Fear of the Lord. Growing up I called that gift Wonder and Awe. I do believe that wonder and awe can emerge from a healthy fear of the Lord. 

Circling back to the Mystery of the Holy Spirit, I know I have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in order to be effective in any aspect of my life. I pray that I do not cause harm, and that I will always be ready to bring awareness of God’s Love in the here and now, everywhere. 

Thank You, Lord. Come, Holy Spirit, come. 

How do you acknowledge God's presence everywhere?

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Copyright 2025 Louisa Ann Irene Ikena
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