Most Holy Trinity, Cycle C
Prayer
Lord God Almighty, in You we live, and move, and have our being. You are the Father of all creation. You gave us Your only begotten Son, our Redeemer. You have made us holy through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Praise to you Almighty God in Three Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Glory to you forever! Amen
Commentary
1st Reading: Proverbs 8:22-33
This beautiful Solemnity allows us to consider the Mystery of the God-head. Our faith teaches us that the Holy Trinity is three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and One God.
Because it is a mystery, there can be confusion about the identity of each person in the Trinity and their respective roles while — at the same time — remaining One God.
Our First Reading, admittedly, adds to this confusion. If, for example, the Father is the Creator of all things, then who is this “Wisdom” to whom the Book of Proverbs refers? Is Wisdom both the Second Person (Son) and the Third Person (Holy Spirit) of the Holy Trinity? Our Church answers yes to both, since the Holy Trinity is undivided in Unity and that before all things existed, there was our Triune God.
It might be best to return to our Easter Readings this past year and recall that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega (the beginning and the end), because God is the Alpha and the Omega. In other words, it is impossible to discern with our chronological minds how God — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — was, is, and always will be. Only through faith can we begin to discern this great mystery!
Question:
Would you prefer to have a God that you could “figure out,” or are you excited to live with God as mystery?
2nd Reading: Romans 5:1-5
As we discern this mystery of the Holy Trinity, we understand that the world in which we live will never grasp what we proclaim. Our Creed teaches us something that cannot be explained except through faith. This mystery cannot rest well in the hearts of those who have no faith. They are not at peace
with this thought.
Since, however, “we have been justified by faith, we have peace … and we boast in hope of the glory of God.” Peace comes by faith in God through our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. Only people of faith can rest in this Truth.
Radically different than those who see with their five senses, our sense of faith is constantly challenged. Since, however, “the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,” we persevere in hope and our “hope does not disappoint.”
Question:
How does the Virtue of Hope assist you when your faith is challenged?
Gospel: John 16:12-15
Returning to our first First Reading, we understand God to be a mystery. This can either depress us or make us excited to know that the mystery of the Trinity can never be exhausted.
Jesus says in our Gospel, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” How true! For the ancient Jews, to even look on God was unbearable. It would cause immediate death. Why? Because God is too expansive for our feeble minds to handle.
Thankfully, God gives to us a share of His Divine nature through the power of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth) and His Son (especially in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist). Having a share in His Divine nature, we are able to comprehend — through faith — this mystery and we will never die. Rather, we will gaze upon our God and live forever with Him in heaven.
Question:
Can you imagine what it will be like to gaze upon God in heaven?
This Week’s Task
Are you aware of as friend or family member who has not been a part of the Church in a while or who has not been blessed to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)?
If you enjoy celebrating the mystery of God in your life, why not share your joy with others? Consider inviting your loved ones to be a part of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) in the parish. Ask the parish office when OCIA gathers and how you can be an active part of bringing your friend or family member to the Sacraments.
You may even want to sponsor your friend throughout the entire OCIA process. Sponsoring someone requires that you have celebrated the three Sacraments of Initiation yourself. If you haven’t, please call the parish office and enroll yourself in OCIA.
Group Prayer
The following prayer may be used.
Leader:
God ascends amid shouts of joy, Alleluia. The Lord, amid trumpet blasts, Alleluia.
Group:
O King of glory, Lord of hosts, this day You
ascended triumphantly above all heavens.
Leave us not orphans,
but send upon us the Promise of the Father, the Spirit of Truth.
Alleluia.
The prayer continues with Psalm 47.
Psalm
Response: O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
When I behold your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place —
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet
R. O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.