Dialogue over the Question of Divine Justice.

A question arose regarding the Theology of Divine Justice; as to how this makes sense and it brought up the essence of the Cross, Jesus becoming the very sin of humanity and dying to redeem us.  If in fact all these events are real who is it that actually was on the Cross?  

In the Holy Trinity there are three Divine Persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  God the Father is relegated as the Creator, Jesus is the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier.  Each has a distinct position in the Mystery of the Trinity and the divine purpose of our salvation.  

If each Divine Person has a specific role in the salvation of humanity who was on the Cross?  When we receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism/Confirmation who are we actually receiving?  Jesus breathed on the Apostles after His Resurrection saying; “receive the Holy Spirit”.  Did they receive one Divine Person?  

From John’s Gospel (Jn. 14: 7-10) Jesus said you know me, then you will also know my Father.  From now on you do know him and have seen him”.  Phillip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us”.  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Phillip”?  ”Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”.  How can you say, “Show us the Father”?  “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me”.  “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.  The Father who dwells in me is doing his works”. 

We can see here that God is not divided into three pieces like a pie, but is the one Trinity in Unity and the mystery goes on.  One Divine Person is not active while the other two are sitting around awaiting their turn.  True, we cannot even begin to understand the Trinity or explain the very existence of that Nature.  Yet, we must believe that even though one Divine Person is related to a particular Divine Task, the Trinity is always at work, unified as One God, 

My latest reflection titled “To Whom should I Pray?  Father, Son, Holy Ghost” delves into that very scenario that God cannot be separated into three pieces like a pie, but nevertheless is Three Individual Divine Persons.  That, fortunately for us finite creatures is the Mystery that Augustine wrestled with and never did figure out.  I say fortunately since we have a God to whom is owed much praise and glory, and Divine Mysteries will keep us searching, not for answers, but Grace to believe and trust in a Loving God.

This perhaps is why we may never understand this mystery; One Divine Person went to the Cross, yet the Holy Trinity can never be divided so as to leave the other two Divine Persons separated from the one who was nailed to the Tree of Life.  Try as one might, you will never understand the essence of the Holy Trinity.    

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net