When the Holy Trinity Speaks in the Trees

I thought I would share one of my regular prayer practices.  It might be something you want to try. 

I have a colloquy early in the morning with the Holy Trinity.  Colloquy is a fancy word Saint Ignatius uses for ‘conversation’.  Before entering many of his Spiritual Exercises, he said to have a colloquy with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, “speaking as one friend speaks to another”.  (SE 54)  I got in the habit of doing one when I was doing the Spiritual Exercises last year.  I’ve continued the practice most mornings. 

I live on a cove off of Lake Norman surrounded by trees.  In my preferred ‘colloquy’ chair, there are trees all around, and a round opening of sky above.

My chair faces one large tree in particular (which I’ve written about before, click here to see cool photo).  When I raise my eyes to this tree, I imagine lifting my eyes to God the Father, the creator of all of this beauty.  To the Father, I often bring a little of the negative self-talk, those feelings of being overlooked, unappreciated, forgotten… pretty much most of the petitions in the Litany of Humility.  From the Father,  I hear the words, “You are my beloved with whom I am well pleased.”  As his beloved, the opinions of the world (and my wounded ego) matter not.  My true identity comes from the love of my Father.

My chair is sitting next to another chair.  In this chair, I imagine Jesus is sitting next to me.  I can barely see him out of the corner of my eye.  We’re both sharing our morning coffee.  As we gaze in the same direction, I unite my mission with his.  From him, I receive my marching orders.  I listen to how I can be his eyes, ears, and hands.  When the assignment becomes too heavy or I become overwhelmed, I receive his grace to carry on.

The Holy Spirit appears in several ways, providing surprising insights, inspirations, and creativity.  Sometimes the answer to my question comes in the wind and the whispering of the trees; sometimes the water and the occasional ripples.  Sometimes it’s a large hawk or heron that flies overhead, or even more symbolic, three smaller birds flying together.  These manifestations of nature remind me that through my Advocate, I am in communion with God and all of God’s creation. 

It’s almost as if part of my colloquy is the opening greeting during a Catholic Mass:  “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.”  I experience that grace, love, and communion in my morning conversations. 

May you find a way to hear the Holy Trinity speaking to you, and may this incredible God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

P.S. I wrote more about colloquies to the Holy Spirit in my homily on The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity if you’d like to read more (How to Begin a Relationship with the Holy Trinity).