Glory to God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (June 7, 2020): EX 34:4-6,8-9; DN 3:52,53,54,55,56; 2 COR 13:11-13; JN 3:16-18
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
One God in three unique persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
On this feast venerating the Holy Trinity, we have now left the Easter Season for Ordinary Time. The day itself calls us to consider this essential and elemental mystery of the Church: One God in three unique persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But there is more to this profound mystery. Not only are the three persons in the triune God uniquely and everlastingly joined, but we, the people of God, are invited to share in the life of the Trinity. At the Easter Vigil and at every occasion when people are baptized, it is done “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” When we receive absolution from the priest at Confession, in is given “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” These are not mere formulas. These words acknowledge that the Holy Trinity is God and that God invites us to share His life and love, both now and in eternity.
Today’s Gospel contains one of the best known Bible verses, one that sums up much about the meaning of salvation and God’s overwhelming compassion for us and desire for us to be His. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17). Those verses are also a reminder that God leaves it to us to decide for ourselves if we will accept the sacrifice Christ made of His life for our sake. We can worship the Trinity by opening ourselves to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, following the way of the Son, and serving our Father and Creator. Our one God has given us everything. Let us offer our thanksgiving every day by being people of faith, hope and love.
