3–What does it mean to you?

We continue our Summer Fun with Biblical Numbers with a short meditation on the number Three.

Step 1: Still yourself and your surroundings.

Step 2: Start by inviting God to sit with you. Read today’s prompt:

In the bible, “three” symbolizes the Trinity and the theme of Divine Completeness, or perfection. The word “third” means a “short time”.

Regarding the Trinity: there are three Persons in One God–the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There are three omni-characteristics of God: omniscience (all-knowing), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnipresence (is everywhere). Jesus’ earthly ministry lasted three years. There were three days between the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Regarding divine completeness or divine planning: there are three places–heaven, earth and hell. There are three time frames: past, present and future. Humans have three aspects: body, mind and spirit. There are three abilities given to humans: to think, to speak and to do. Humans have three enemies: flesh, the world and Satan. There are three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity (love). A Christian marriage involves three people: the bride, the groom and God.

Three is associated with God’s actions. Jesus took three Apostles (Peter, John and James) to witness His transfiguration. Those three followed Him to the Garden of Gethsemane. In the traditional Stations of the Cross, Jesus falls three times.

Step 3: Speak to God about your thoughts and feelings concerning what you read. What word stood out to you?

[My example of talking to God: Father, when I think of the number three, I always think of the Trinity. It’s difficult for me to understand, but I don’t worry about not understanding anymore. It’s taken me a long time to get here. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I got so used to praying to Jesus, that I sort of forgot about You and the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t that long ago that it dawned on me during a bible study that Jesus was always praying to You–which makes sense; He wouldn’t pray to Himself–but also that when He taught us how to pray, He addressed You. He often said He was here to do “my Father’s will”. He never said, “Do my will.” When I see the stars at night and think of all the knowledge it takes to travel in space, to create the universe and the smallest microbes, and I am not bothered one bit about the mystery of God.

Not long ago one of my sisters advised a friend to use the concept of three when flower arranging, or painting, or making mosaics. It keeps the elements of a design balanced and pleasing to the eye instead of looking haphazard and throw together. And writers know that three is important: beginning, middle, end; to give three examples; to have at a minimum three sources before presenting something as “fact”. Maybe Your grand design with three is another way to draw us back to You, Father.

I think all the occurrences of triplets in the bible are interesting. And I’m really glad to know that “Jesus rose on the third day” means He rose “a short time” after the crucifixion” because the hours don’t add up to three days. But for me, three is still the number of leaves on one shamrock that Saint Patrick used to show three Persons in One God. I like talking to each of You.

Step 4: Silence yourself again and relax in the presence of God. Use a timer so you can think only of God.

Step 5: Say a prayer.   

[My sample prayer: Dear Jesus, I am so grateful for all You’ve done for me. I can’t imagine all You suffered during the crucifixion. And I can’t, obviously, know an inkling of what Your resurrection entailed or felt like. I’m hoping You having gone through it means the path is made and the rest of us just have to walk or float through–not create the passage ourselves.

I’m really hoping that You and Father and the Holy Spirit are Persons in the sense of how I understand the word ‘person’. I know we’re made in Your image and likeness. I just hope we aren’t a giant size or a miniature size of You. I want to sit next to You. I want to sit on the lap of our Father. I want to “see” the Holy Spirit, not just feel His Presence–but I have to say, that’s pretty awesome in and of itself!

Father, Thank You for Your perfect plan to live with You in Eden, in paradise. Thank You for sending Jesus–and Jesus accepting–to give us a chance to live there eternally.

And thank You, Holy Spirit, for helping me understand You Three better. Thank You for the nudge to apologize and forgive and to ask for forgiveness, to help others. I love You.]

Step 6: Save a word, phrase, image, or feeling to hold in your heart until your next prayer session. Thank God for the visit.  

[I’m saving the mental image of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane praying while Peter, John and James sleep. I don’t want to be the one who falls asleep.]

And thank you for praying with me and the other subscribers. See you on Thursday!