Column: Trinity and Mystery

The Trinity is the highest mystery of the faith. As is my tendency, sometimes, mystery is better expressed in poetry than in prose. St. John of the Cross here expresses this mystery of God in His Triune life. He keeps referencing the night, which primarily refers to our belief by faith rather than by seeing directly the mystery of the Trinity. Stanzas 7 and 8, in particular, refer to the processions of the Son and the Holy Spirit, coming forth from the Father. Thus we see the Trinity shrouded (appropriately) in the mystery of faith: 

For I know well the spring that flows and runs, although it is night. 

1. That eternal spring is hidden, for I know well where it has its rise, although it is night.
2. I do not know its origin, nor has it one, but I know that every origin has come from it, although it is night.
3. I know that nothing else is so beautiful, and that the heavens and the earth drink there, although it is night.
4. I know well that it is bottomless and no one is able to cross it, although it is night.
5. Its clarity is never darkened, and I know that every light has come from it, although it is night.
6. I know that its streams are so brimming they water the lands of hell, the heavens, and earth, although it is night.
7. I know well the stream that flows from this spring is mighty in compass and power, although it is night.
8. I know the stream proceeding from these two, that neither of them in fact precedes it, although it is night.
9. This eternal spring is hidden in this living bread for our life's sake, although it is night.
10. It is here calling out to creatures; and they satisfy their thirst, although in darkness, because it is night.
11. This living spring that I long for, I see in this bread of life, although it is night.

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This column appeared in the Sunday, May 26, edition of the St. Michael Catholic Church bulletin.