Readings: Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9; Daniel 3:52-56; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18 43cc
My dear brothers and sisters, today is an important day when we celebrate one of greatest mysteries in our Catholic faith, the solemnity of the Holy Trinity.
The basic message we have here is that God is not a math problem to solve “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… 3 Persons, 1 God.” If we try to explain the Trinity like a math equation, we’ll fail. St. Augustine said: “If you understand it, then it’s not God.”
Today’s feast isn’t a theology exam. It’s an invitation to a relationship. The readings don’t define the Trinity they show us what the Trinity does. The Trinity revealed as love and mercy (Exodus 34:6).
Moses asks to see God’s glory. God passes by and proclaims His name: “I, the LORD, am a God who is full of compassion and pity, who is not easily angered and who shows great love and faithfulness”. This is the first time God reveals his “name” and character. What name does He choose? Not “Almighty” or “Judge.” He chooses Merciful Love. Fast forward to John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…”
Father who is the source of love. Son who is the gift of love. Spirit who is presence of love among us.
The Trinity is a family. A community of self-giving love. God is not lonely. Before creation, Father, Son, Spirit were already loving each other.
In the second reading St. Paul ends his letter with the first Trinitarian blessing: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all”. Notice the order: Grace from Jesus, Love from the Father, Communion from the Spirit. And his command right before it: “Rejoice, be perfect, take exhortation, be of one mind, have peace”. Why? Because we are baptized into this Trinitarian family. If God is three Persons living in unity, then our families, parishes, and communities must reflect that same unity. Division is the opposite of Trinity.
The most famous verse in the Bible is Trinitarian: God the Father sends the Son. And Jesus says: “God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him”. The Father’s heart is compassion. The Son’s mission is salvation, not condemnation. The Spirit’s work is making that love real in our hearts. So if you think God is angry and waiting to punish you, look at the Trinity. The Father runs to the prodigal son. The Son dies for you while you’re still a sinner. The Spirit groans with you in prayer when you have no words.
Today when we celebrate the solemnity of the Holy Trinity, we are invited to think seriously about of faith because it is Trinitarian. I invite everyone to make the Sign of the Cross slowly:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
We do it more than 50 times a day without thinking. Today, pause. Touch forehead which is the mind of the Father. Chest which is heart of the Son. Shoulders which are the arms of the Spirit embracing you. It’s a mini-sermon on your body.
The Trinity is perfect communion. Where is there division in your life? With a sibling, parent, coworker? Send the text, make the call, offer forgiveness. You’re imitating God.
The Responsorial Psalm today is “Blessed are you, O Lord… praiseworthy and exalted above all forever”.
The Trinity doesn’t need our praise, but we need to give it. Praise shifts our focus from problems to the God who is Love.
We may not fully understand the Trinity. But we can live it. Love the Father who made you. Trust the Son who saved you. Welcome the Spirit who lives in you.
As St. Paul prayed: May the grace of Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Not just today but forever.
Glory and praise for ever! Amen.