The Holy Trinity

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

Though we have transitioned into Ordinary Time, we still have two great Solemnities to celebrate before we return to the readings for the Sundays in Ordinary Time. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. This dogma of our faith developed over time, a fact that the readings for today's Mass reveals.

First we hear a reading from Exodus in which we wonder at God's self-revelation. God "comes down" upon the mountain. Moses goes up. God initiates this encounter. Moses responds. God's self revelation is so powerful that it became a credal statement for the Israelites. Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. . . (Exodus 34:6) Moses realizes that he is in the presence of God and falls down in adoration and worship. In these few simple verses, we hear the passage which prompted the early Christian community to consider the three persons in one God. First, we hear of the God who comes down; namely, the Father and Creator. Second, God communicates; namely, the Word or the Son. Finally, God evokes the response of worship which is inherently the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember that the Israelites did not recognize the triune nature of God; yet this revelation of God gives us the very beginnings of this idea.

The Gospel for today is the very familiar passage from John's Gospel, the passage that is indicated on many a person's bumper, that is inscribed on posters that appear at most sporting events; namely John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. At first glance this passage seems to mention only the first two persons in the Trinity. However, it is impossible to disassociate the Holy Spirit from the notion of "eternal life," as it is the Spirit which breathes into us the life of God. So the action of giving us the Son also gives us the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we hear the conclusion of the second letter to the Corinthians, words that are very familiar to us as a greeting we hear at the Eucharist. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you. (2 Corinthians 13:13) Notice the order in this salutation: Jesus, God (the Father), and the Holy Spirit. Before we jump to the conclusion that they are "out of order," remember that this is the way that the early Christian community experienced the mystery of the Trinity; namely, Jesus leads us to the Father and together they give us the Holy Spirit.

We refer to the Holy Trinity as a mystery. Yet let us remember that the Church uses the word mystery differently than most. It is not a puzzle or riddle to be solved but rather an experience that is still unfolding. We continue to revel in God's self revelation.

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