THE TRINITY AND YOU
Deuteronomy 4:32–34.39–40, Romans 8:14–17, Matthew 28:16–20
What kind of God do we believe in? The first reading tells us that the God of the Christian faith is different from the gods of the pagans and those worshipped by other religions. Therefore, we must not worship God as people of other religions do. We should not worship in the morning and offer sacrifices of goats and fowl in the evening. So, the first reading makes us understand that the God of the Christian faith is the God in heaven and on earth beneath; there is no other. This God has revealed his inner life through his works as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This tripartite understanding is the origin of the word trinity.
Trinity expresses the doctrine of the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct persons. The Catholic Church teaches that God is one God, but three coeternal, consubstantial persons, or hypostases. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are “one God in three Divine Persons.”
The readings today basically express this trinitarian nature of God. While the first reading identifies the distinguished nature of God, the second reading sharply reflects God as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The gospel tells us that our faith and worship must be equally trinitarian. Hence, Jesus says, “Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Bible has so much to say about the Trinity, but we shall take a few references. The Old Testament gives a glimpse into the Trinity in Gen. 1:26, where God says, “Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves.” “Us and ourselves”—these words reveal to us the nature of God.
In the New Testament, we have a clearer triadic understanding of God. Today’s gospel, Matthew 28:19, says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Take note: the word “name” as used is singular, not plural; so, we have God, not Gods. Luke 1:35 says, “And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. For more, read John 14:27, Acts 7:55, Acts 10:38, and 2 Corinthians 13:13. These are Scriptural illustrations that God is triune in nature.
The Church has equally manifested this nature of God in her liturgical celebrations. From the beginning of the mass (the sign of the cross), the conclusion of the mass, and the Eucharistic prayer through to the conclusion of the mass, all are centered on the Trinity. Therefore, one can say that every mass is a celebration of the Trinity. Trinity Sunday is just set aside to celebrate this great gift and mystery.
The readings of today did not only reveal the Triune God; they further revealed the cooperative nature of the Trinity. The Trinity works flawlessly with each other. There is no jealousy or competition among them. Therefore, we who are created in the image and likeness of God must also live like God. On this note, I shall draw out two basic lessons from today’s celebration.
THE TRINITY IS A COMMUNITY OF PERSONS. Beloved in Christ, the Trinity is the model for our lives. We are created in the “image of God”—inthe image of the Trinity. The Trinity is a community of people. There are no isolated, self-sufficient, rugged individuals. The Trinity is made up of three equal divine persons and is distinct in function. Each divine person needs the other two divine persons to be God. In like manner, our souls strive for union; we have an innate need for companionship and love. This gives direct testimony to the Trinity. God is relationship, and He created us so. Precisely because of this, it is so hard to live in isolation. It is good to love yourself, but that love is fruitful only in relation to others. The Trinity is a community; let us live in relationship and in connection to each other.
THE TRINITY IS A LOVING COMMUNITY. The essence of the Trinity is a personal relationship of love between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Love should also be a characteristic of the Christian community. Jesus says in John 13:35, By this love, all men will know that you are my disciples. We all have a need to love and to be loved. Love is creative, fulfilling, and healing. It heals both the one who gives it and the one who receives it. No doubt, many of us Christians find it difficult to live in love. There is a high rate of jealousy, envy, and hatred amongst Christian brothers. We are into unhealthy competitions and trying to outdo one another in power and wealth. The Trinity is a model of shared power, shared function, and shared love. We should learn to live in harmony with one another in spite of our individual differences.
Let us pray
God our Father, who by sending into the world the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification made known to the human race your wondrous mystery, grant us, we pray, that in profession the true faith, we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
