Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Cycle A, Year I)

Community Word:
The gifts of the Holy Spirit strengthen our commitment to serve God.

Theme:
We are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit when we firmly believe in the saving power of God.

Promise:
“Everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16b)

Reflection:

This Sunday, we celebrate another important feast of the Church – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.  In the gospel, Jesus reveals to us the great mystery of the triune nature of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the mission to unite us with God in a community of love and fellowship. Our Christian faith is more than believing in a God who is alive. We deeply believe in our Triune God acting out of perfect love to save us and allow us to participate in His love at all times that we will have abundant life and experience joy.

Each Person of the Holy Trinity – “a distinction of persons but a unity of essence,” plays a unique role in our salvation.  The Father who loves us, designed and initiated the plan of salvation, sent the Son and the Holy Spirit at the precise and appropriate time, in order to bring us into His family as His adopted children and co-heirs of His Kingdom. The Son, in obedience to the Father, gave of Himself to die on the cross and rose again to merit for us a share in the Spirit of love and life. The cross brings us true freedom and abundant new life in His Spirit, as well as forgiveness, reconciliation and adoption as sons and daughters of God. The Holy Spirit exposes what is true, and through its gifts and working, our hearts and minds are enlightened to proclaim our faith in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, (Jn3:16).

Though we are washed clean by the blood of Jesus, our human nature remains sinful and we are prone to follow the dictates of our flesh, tempted by the world and Satan. Our misguided desires make us fall again and be enslaved to sin. Even trials and setbacks in life lead us to assume that we are being punished for our past sins and that our relationship with God is lost. But the Holy Spirit sets us free from every sinful bondage – pride, greed, envy, hatred, fear and guilt. We are empowered to endure the challenges and shown the way to a more intimate friendship with God. And as we renew our faith and surrender our will to the Father, we continue to receive the joy of our salvation – “… whoever believes in him will not be condemned,” (Jn 3:18).

As Christ’s disciples, it is our responsibility to share our faith experience with others and bring them to the knowledge of God the Father, that we are rightful inheritors of His love, joy and peace. We testify to Jesus Christ who brings to our lives the perfect assurance of eternal life. By His cross, we reach out and minister to a world that is desperate for peace and the saving power of God. We share the strength and empowerment of the Holy Spirit through His gifts as we walk with our brothers through their trials in life.  These are expressed in our theme for the week – We are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit when we firmly believe in the saving power of God.

At the end of our earthly journey when Jesus Christ returns, true believers in the saving power of the Holy Trinity will inherit the kingdom of Heaven. This is the promise of Jesus in John 3:16 – “Everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Prayer:
Most Holy Trinity, instill in my heart a pure and reverent faith to believe in Your plan of salvation, that I may also strengthen the faith of my co-sojourners as we travel together to our final destination in Heaven. All glory, honor, and praise be Yours – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways do you experience the saving power of the Most Holy Trinity in your day to day and community life?

2. One way of showing our belief in the Holy Trinity is by making the sign of the cross.  Are you bold enough to express your faith in public?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
June 11, 2017 (Sun) –  Ex 34:4-6, 8, 9/Dn 3:52-56/2Cor 13:11-13/Jn 3:16-18
June 12, 2017(Mon)   – 2 Cor 1:1-7/Ps 34:2-9/Mk 5:1-12
June 13, 2017(Tues) –  2 Cor 1:18-22/Ps 119,129,130,131,132,135/Mt 5:13-16
June 14, 2017(Wed) –   2 Cor 3:4-11/Ps 99:5-9/Mt 5:17-19
June 15, 2017 (Thur) – 2 Cor 3:15-4:1,3-6/Ps 85:9-14/Mt 5:20-26
June 16, 2017 (Fri) –  2 Cor 4:7-15/Ps 116:10-16/Mt 5:27-32
June 17, 2017 (Sat) –  2 Cor 5:14-21/Ps 103:1-4,9-12/Mt 5:13-37

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”