You may have heard the adage that people can be judged by the company they keep. Whether we pay attention daily or not, we all are in the presence of the Holy Trinity with all of our Triune God’s wonderful attributes. God, the Father, is the kind of company that comes to dinner and brings the food—-and even prepares the meal. The Father, our Creator, is full of mercy and strength. Jesus is the Living Bread who came down from heaven, to be with us always. He relates to us with fullness of understanding, and his shoulder is always next to us if we need to cry. He saves us over and over again. The Holy Spirit is a motivating and consoling companion who gives us nudges to pray and extend love to others. The Spirit prays for us and with us, even when we cannot find the words. This Holy Trinity is a divine Light and Power Company, and any brown-outs are from our lack of attention.
I suggest to you a little exercise to help you to be more aware of your divine Companions. Make the Sign of the Cross or say the “Glory Be” prayer with additions like these: “Glory be to the Father, who is Abba, and to the Son, who saves me, and to the Holy Spirit, who fires me up, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. Amen.” You can even change the attributes you praise each day!
Even when we are not out and about with others as we are used to being, our Blessed Mother, the Communion of Saints, and our friends and families are spiritually there offering prayers for us. I add to this company some other companions with whom I like to fraternize. I refer to them as the “Tudes.” A very important “Tude” is gratitude. When I focus my attention on all the blessings in my life, past and present, my mood easily changes for the better. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, fortitude, is another “Tude” I seek out. Fortitude helps me to get through any pain or adversity. It makes me strong and positive. Solitude is another friend that gives me mindfulness to clear my head and adjust my thinking. With solitude, I quiet myself to pray and reflect.
I know we all have friends and associates on Facebook, Twitter, and other computer groups. To me, the most important things about the company we keep are our keen awareness of that company, our relationship with that company, and how, ultimately, that company leads us to holiness.
Ephesians 4:4 reminds us:
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (NRSV)
Image: St. Catherine of Siena Parish, West Simsbury, Connecticut
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, CT. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.