Most Holy Trinity (Cycle C, Year I)

Community Word:The indwelling of the Holy Spirit transforms our lives.

Theme: Our lives are transformed when we allow the Spirit to lead us to Jesus, the Truth of the Father’s love.

Promise: “He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.” (Jn 16:13b)

Reflection:
Being led by the Holy Spirit is at the heart of a Christian life. When we are lead to Jesus, our life will be transformed, it will blossom, flourish and become fruitful. The chosen promise this week also embodies the will of the Triune God, the Most Holy Trinity, for us to be transformed into the image of Christ Himself (cf. 2Cor 3:18). It shows an intimate unity and consent of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, as we are told: “He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming,” (Jn 16:13b).

A clearer grasp of what the Bible teaches about this vital truth will help us as we seek to grow in grace.The Scriptures are the Holy Spirit’s chief instrument in renewing our minds and His primary focus is Jesus, glorifying Him to us (Jn 16:14). He illumines our minds and inspire our hearts to grasp more deeply the love of God, and to focus our attention to the life of Jesus – His ministry, teachings, death and resurrection and ascension to glory..This underscores the importance of being immersed in the word of God and to pray that God will ‘grant us to hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them’ so that we are truly transformed.

Over time, as we behold the glory of Jesus, deeply reflecting upon Him and all He has done, our love for Him will grow and with it our desire to please Him and be like Him. This holy desire in turn will propel our daily obedience which the Holy Spirit will help us render by calling to our minds the teachings and example of Jesus that apply to our daily circumstances – when we are tempted, in our family relations, friendships, church life, community affairs and ministry opportunities, among others.

St. Paul instructs the Galatians – “walk in the Spirit!” (Gal 5:16-25). To walk in the Spirit means to live one’s daily life by the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It means that we should continuously surrender and yield ourselves to the desires of the Spirit whose leading is always completely opposed to the desire of our sinful flesh. Our surrender to the Spiritis an act of the will, a choice we must make, saying yes to God and no to the influences and attachments to the world.

In Galatians 5:22-23, St. Paul gives us nine characteristics or “fruit” of the Holy Spirit as He works in the life of a renewed believer. These characteristics are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The word “fruit” is singular indicating that these nine characteristics are part of a unified whole and are not separable. A believer does not have some and not others, though their relative strength may vary. Not only do they have a personal dimension; they also have a community dimension that blesses and edifies fellow believers and strengthens the unity of the church.

Following Jesus is not easy; it involves challenge and discipline, it may lead to hardship or persecution, and takes a lifetime. But the rewards are infinitely greater than anything this world can offer. Our Triune God sees to it that as faithful followers and believers, we are filled with the grace to know the truth about His love for us and allow us to enjoy a fruitful and abundant new life in Christ.

Prayer:
Father, You created me in Your image, fearfully and wonderfully made to bring light in this dark world. May Your Spirit guide me along the path of righteousness according to Your Holy will. You are the Omnipotent Potter and I am the clay. Shape me, mold me, use me and fill me each and every day to become more like Christ and receive the reward of Your eternal glory. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1.What is Jesus telling you on how you can follow His example in order to bear the fruit of the Spirit?
2.How can you imitate the perfect love and unity of the Blessed Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
June 16, 2019 (Sun) – Prv 8:22-31/Ps 8:4-9/Rom 5:1-5/Jn 16:12-15
June 17, 2019 (Mon)-2Cor 6:1-10/Ps 98:1-4/Mt 5:38-42
June 18, 2019 (Tue)-2Cor 8:1-9/Ps 146:2-9/Mt 5:43-48
June 19, 2019 (Wed)-2Cor 9:6-11/Ps 112:1-4, 9/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
June 20, 2019 (Thu)-2Cor 11:1-11/Ps 111:1-4, 7, 8/Mt 6:7-15
June 21, 2019 (Fri)- 2Cor 11:18, 21-30/Ps 34:2-7/Mt 6:19-23
June 22, 2019 (Sat) – 2Cor12:1-10/Ps 34:8-13/Mt 6:24-34

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