"What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:-5)
Reflections on the readings for the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (June 12, 2022): PRV 8:22-31; PS 8:4-5,6-7,8-9; Rom 5:1-5; JN 16:12-15
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
We should take the opportunity to listen to the words we say so often during the Nicene Creed. Once more we proclaim to each other and the world our faith in the Holy Trinity.
Today the Church salutes the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Only through the Trinity do all other mysteries, all other truths exist. In the Gospel reading today, which comes from what is often called Jesus’ Farewell Discourse to His Apostles, He comforts them because they know He is leaving. However, He offers them the ineffable gift of the Holy Spirit. “When He comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you to all truth. …Everything that the Father has is Mine; for this reason I told you that He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13,15). Neither the Apostles and other early disciples of Christ nor His followers today, can really comprehend the Trinity except as we are given to understanding by God Himself. Nonetheless, we accept as our Christian principle that there is one God in three distinct persons: The Father the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is most appropriate that this feast was proclaimed in the 14th century be celebrated on the Sunday immediately following Pentecost. It was Pentecost, after all, when the Spirit did indeed descend on those men and women who knew and believed in Jesus. The Son of the Father promised the coming of the Holy Spirit. And God keeps every promise.
During today’s Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we should take the opportunity to listen to the words we say so often during the Nicene Creed. Once more we proclaim to each other and the world our faith in the Holy Trinity. “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.” Each of us has an intimate relationship with God. Only by opening ourselves to God’s grace and the gifts offered through the power of the Holy Spirit can we deepen and nurture this relationship. One way we can express our reverence for the Most Holy Trinity is by way of regular prayer throughout the day. We can show reverence and contemplate, even for a few moments, on our loving God who provides for our welfare of body and soul.
Suggested missionary action: We can honor the Holy Trinity by making a habit of saying this Eucharistic Prayer associated with our Lady of Fatima: “Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament!”
