Today, the Church invites us to reflect on the great mystery of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – the foundation of our faith.
In our first reading of Exodus 34:4-6,8-9, we encounter Moses on Mount Sinai. God reveals Himself to Moses, and as He passes by, He proclaims His name: “The Lord, a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness.” This description of God’s nature reveals His infinite love, compassion, and forgiveness. It speaks of His faithfulness to His people despite their shortcomings and failings. This passage reminds us that our God is not a distant and detached being but a God who intimately cares for His creation.
In our second reading 2 Cor. 13:11-13, we hear St. Paul’s parting words to the community. He encourages them to “put things in order” and to live in peace and harmony with one another. These words are crucial for us today as we strive to imitate the unity within the Trinity. The Trinity is a perfect community of love, each person fully united to the others. Likewise, as followers of Christ, we are called to live in unity, peace, and love with our brothers and sisters. It is through our relationships with others that we reflect the image of the Triune God.
Finally, in our Gospel passage John 3:16-18, we encounter one of the most well-known verses of the Bible: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” These words encapsulate the heart of the Christian message—God’s immense love for humanity. The Father sends His Son into the world not to condemn but to save. Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, reveals to us the depth of God’s love and invites us into a personal relationship with Him. Through faith in Jesus, we receive the gift of eternal life.
Friends, on this Holy Trinity Sunday, we are reminded of the central truth of our faith—the mystery of the Triune God. Though this mystery is not explicitly called Holy Trinity in the Scriptures, we can see the many glimpses of the existence of the Holy Trinity within the Scriptures. A few examples:
1. Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'” The use of the plural pronouns “us” and “our” suggests a plurality within the Godhead.
2. Genesis 3:22: “Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil.'” Again, the use of plural language indicates a divine trinity.
3. Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
4. 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
6. John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”
7. 1 John 5:7: “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct yet inseparable. They are united in perfect love, and their love overflows to embrace all of creation. It is through this love that we find our hope, purpose, and identity as children of God.
The significance of the Holy Trinity for the human family is profound. The love and unity within the Trinity serve as a model for us to embrace within our own families and communities. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct yet inseparable, so too are we called to respect and appreciate the unique gifts and contributions of each member of our families. We are called to nurture relationships characterized by love, forgiveness, and self-giving, mirroring the perfect communion of the Trinity.
As we reflect on the readings today, let us contemplate the love and unity within the Trinity. Let us strive to imitate this love in our own lives by embracing forgiveness, peace, and harmony with one another. Let us also remember the great sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God, who came to save us and offer us the gift of eternal life. May the Holy Spirit guide us and empower us to live as witnesses of God’s love in the world.
Let us bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for revealing yourself to us as a God of love and mercy. Help us to grow in our understanding and appreciation of the Holy Trinity. Fill our hearts with your love so that we may reflect that love in our relationships with others. Grant us the grace to live in unity and peace, imitating the perfect communion within the Trinity. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forever. Amen 🙏🏽
~Fr. James Anyaegbu
~ Fr. James Anyaegbu
