Irony intrigues. Isn’t it curious how a commonplace expression can mean something contrary to its intended significance? “Shameless behavior”, for instance, should mean conduct above reproach. However, it ironically is interpreted as conduct full of shame. “Nothing’s the matter” is another phrase inviting such reflection.
When asked “what’s wrong?” and responding “nothing’s the matter”, someone is presumably stating that everything is all right. However, the phrase – either as written or in its reverse order (“matter is nothing”) – could be an unwitting dip into the gnostic void of nihilism. Think about it. Nothing matters, or all that matters is nothing. As a casual remark, it is, of course, innocent. But, in today’s zeitgeist of barren relativism, could it belie a more cynical attitude about existence?
This anomalous tidbit about nothing mattering occurred to me during Mass on Trinity Sunday. The reality of the Blessed Trinity is, to be sure, a mystery to us. It is also fundamental dogma. But, of what importance can in be when ‘nothing matters’? Therein lies the problem. When ‘nothing matters’ literally means nothing matters, dogma is glaringly irrelevant. This is especially so when the prevailing mindset limits the recognition of truths to that which can be demonstrably proven. This is a restrictive mindset to be sure, and certainly one bereft of romance. It is the same mentality that propounds love to be an expression of emotion or marriage to be an attraction of chemistry. Something beyond the grasp of our comprehension cannot be real.
For Christians, at least Catholic Christians, the Trinitarian dogma – God is one in three Persons – is a mystery. God is one infinite Being in three Persons each of whom possesses infinite Being, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. A fundamental implication of one God in three Persons is that God is a community in which each person relates to the other two. As revealed in the dogma, the essence of this relationship is self-giving love. It is the nature of God to love for God is love.
Another implication, as expressed in the ancient Nicene Creed still recited today, is that the Holy Spirit ‘proceeds from the Father and the Son’. Procession entails action. The Holy Spirit is active and, as a gift to us from the Father and the Son, is actively involved in our lives. In his letter to the Romans Saint Paul writes: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
St. Paul says the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will. Isn’t this the animation of charitable deeds? When we act with selfless charity, isn’t it the Holy Spirit acting through us? If so, doesn’t the same interaction occur in philanthropy?
What encouraging assurance this ray of dogma must provide you, our donors, who selflessly contribute to the wellbeing of others around the globe. For you, nothing is not the matter. All of God’s creation is, and by laboring in the vineyard you celebrate this gift of creation and share in the advance the Kingdom.