The Feast of the Holy Trinity

Sunday readings in brief: Holy Trinity Feast
Prov 8:22-31; Ps 8:4-9; Rom 5:1-5; Jn 16:12-15

The Nature of God

Dear friends, today is the Feast of the Holy Trinity, which occurs on the Sunday after the Pentecost. Next Sunday will be the feast of Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ). Trinity from the Latin word “Trinitas” means threefold. As Christians, through the revelation in the Holy Scriptures, we experience God in threefold manifestations, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The feast of Trinity celebrate the closeness of God to us.

In the First reading, The Spirit of God is presented to us as the ‘Wisdom’ that was always with God before everything was created. He is presented as the architect and craftsman of all that is and who continues even today to make God present to us. St. Paul says that the love of God is poured to us through the Holy Spirit who enables us to be patient in suffering, which brings perseverance and hope to look forward to God’s glory.

In our creed, each of the three persons of the Holy Trinity is defined and his role stated. “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible”. Through the Old Testament, God reveals himself as the Creator and sustainer of all things visible and invisible.

“I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him, all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven”. Christ is the visible manifestation of God who came to dwell with us in order to bring the Trinity closer to us.

“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets”. The Holy Spirit is the fabric that unites the Holy Trinity.

Every time God acts, he acts as one because he is one. However, we experience him in this mysterious threefold manner. During Creation God said, “let us create man in our own image and likeness” (Gen 1:26). We read that the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface before anything was created. God also created heaven and earth through is Word, God the Son. In Mt. 3:16-17, at the baptism of Jesus, The Spirit of God descended upon him in the image of a dove and the voice of the Father confirmed to that he was the beloved Son of God. The time of the Church is the time of the Holy Spirit who inspires Christians to imitate Christ in their lives and bringing God’s love on earth. “But when th Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to complete truth” (Jn 16:13).

What God means by revealing himself to us as Trinity? I believe that God intended us to share in his overflowing love between himself. It is such an intense love that enables Him to manifest himself in threefold manner yet remain one. God created man and woman and blessed them to be productive and bring children on earth as the fruits of the love and unity between them. God wanted human beings to continue the work of creation and experience and share in his love. Love cannot be introverted but always outgoing. Love manifests itself by overflowing outside its source and in the process creating.

Our communities are supposed to be united in love, and bring forth positive development to those its members and the world around them. Love leaves no gap or space for evils that bring division such as hatred, selfishness, corruption and others. Love heals all brokenness and reconciles all conflicts. In the world today, the institution of the Family is disintegrating. Religious communities have been invaded by selfishness and individualism. It is very urgent for us Christians and everyone else to start salvaging what is left of the human community.

Dear friends, as we reflect on the mystery of the Holy Trinity, let us learn unity in diversity and build families and communities overflowing with love and positive energy.

Happy Feast.

Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
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