Father Richard Rohr eloquently points out that our understanding of God evolves as we mature spiritually. Initially, we may perceive God through the lens of parental figures – a father figure, perhaps. However, spiritual growth necessitates a more expansive view. God might appear as a friend, a lover, and, importantly, in feminine forms, revealing “himself as herself.” This revelation could come through Sophia, divine wisdom, or through the nurturing love embodied by Mary. For many, this embrace of a multifaceted God can ignite a deeper love and connection.
Our preconceived notions often limit our perception of the Divine. Early images of God are frequently shaped by our experiences with our parents. A critical mother might lead to an image of a judgmental God; a domineering father, to an authoritarian God. Tragically, many individuals fear God, experiencing the Divine as distant, cold, or even punitive. These perceptions, however, reflect more about our personal experiences and parental archetypes than the true nature of the Trinitarian God.
The prevalent worldview often depicts God and reality as hierarchical, a pyramid with a male God at the apex. Christian art, church design, and architecture often mirror this patriarchal structure. Humanity’s tendency to project its limitations onto even religious frameworks is profound. This pyramidical logic, favoring the status quo, contrasts sharply with the dynamic nature of the Trinity. Trinitarian thinking, in essence, is less about rigid hierarchies and more akin to a spiral, a circle dance, a continuous flow.
There is no need for fear. God’s Trinitarian love flows like the rhythmic tides of the ocean, an ebb and flow of divine energy. In this Trinitarian universe, reality is an “Infinite, Loving Outpouring” that empowers and generates an “Eternal, Loving Infolding.” This eternal outward flow is mirrored in the natural world – in every creature, plant, and celestial body. The universe itself is the first embodiment of God’s boundless creativity.
What we must release are the confining, inadequate images of God that no longer serve us. The liberating truth is that all creation and all humanity are intrinsically part of this divine, loving flow – none are excluded. We are not mere observers but active participants in the circle dance of the Divine. This profound theology should inspire positive change in our societies and histories, and this hope remains alive.
References:
Adapted from Richard Rohr, The Divine Dance: Exploring the Mystery of Trinity (Albuquerque, NM: Center for Action and Contemplation, 2004). Available as CD, MP3 download; and What the Mystics Know: Seven Pathways to Your Deeper Self (New York: Crossroad Publishing, 2015), 74–75.
