Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

NO CONDEMNATION

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” – John 3:17

       Live-in partners, homosexuals, someone who sleeps around, drug addicts, party animals, alcoholics, single moms, transgenders, etc.

       Do you know of anyone who may fit in one or more of the descriptions above? Maybe a colleague or an acquaintance?  Sadly, many Christians have turned their backs on them, writing them off as outcasts, sinners and deviants. We’re quick to judge and condemn them. But ironically, Christ didn’t. He chose to be among them, to understand, help and love them. And because Jesus reached out to them, it changed their lives.

Friend, we are called to do the same – not to judge but to love. Here’s how:

       Don’t condemn. Don’t reject the person, because all the more do they need our help.

       Don’t condone. Be part of their world, but don’t condone their actions. Help them overcome it.

       Conspire. Pray for them. Strategize on how you can lead them to transformation. Befriend them, just as Jesus did.

       When we do these, not only will their lives change. Ours, too, will be more like Christ’s. Mike Viñas (mikemichaelfcv@yahoo.com)

Father, mold me to always have a Christ-like heart for the lost, broken and in need.

Servant of God Orlando Catanii, pray for us.

The Scriptures struggle to give voice to the true nature of God in His Trinitarian form. Theologians have continued that struggle for the last 2,000 years. It truly is  a mystery. However, God is not that much of a mystery such that we cannot say anything about Him. What is important is that we build on our personal experience of God with the doctrines and teachings of the Church so that we can grow in our relationship with Him.

4 Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. 5 Having come down  in a cloud, the Lord stood with him there and proclaimed his name, “Lord.” 6 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.” 8 Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. 9 Then he said, “If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own.”

R: Glory and praise for ever!

29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your  holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. (R) 30 [Dan 3:53] Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. (R) 31 [Dan 3:54] Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. (R) 32 [Dan 3:55]Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. (R)

One of the most important witnesses of the Trinity is in the communal nature of our God. The three persons are indivisible, that is, they cannot be fully separated from each other. Yes, they are individual persons, but united in relationship such that the bonds of love between them cannot be broken. This is how it should be in our relationships with God and one another. Unfortunately, sin has damaged our capacity to love and so we have to struggle to maintain the unity that would be possible if sin was not around.

11 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Kings 1-3

THE MYSTERY OF LOVE

One of the most celebrated images of the Trinity is the icon painted by Andrei Rublev in the 15th century. It depicts three angels looking into a bowl-like chalice. The two angels look towards the third angel. Interpretively, they are looking at Jesus, the only Son of God, the Anointed One sent by the Father. You will notice a hole in the altar, an open space that represents the openness of heaven to its children who have gone astray and are wandering the face of the earth. In the distance, one may notice the oak tree of Mamre, where Abraham hosted the three visitors. The temple overshadows the figures in the background. Rich in symbolism, it draws the worshipper into the mystery of the Trinity, the mystery of Love.

       Today’s Gospel is a well-known verse, short and straight to the point, but full of meaning and mystery. God the Creator — the Father — loves this world which He has created. God is interested in the life of His children. When the Triune God saw the chaos of the Earth (icon of the Trinity), God planned an awesome event that would take place in the fullness of time. His only begotten Son, Jesus, and the Second person of the Blessed Trinity, would be born like us in all things except sin. He lived, worked and ministered the love of God to many people. The love between Father and Son is manifested in the working of the Holy Spirit, the Third person of the Trinity, which is our feast today in the life of the Church.

       For John the evangelist, to see is to believe. Believing in Jesus is eternal life here and now. God desires that we place our faith and trust in His only Son, who has opened the gates of heaven by His obedience to the Father. God wants all to be saved. He desires all to have eternal life in His Kingdom. Jesus, by His death and resurrection, has saved us and set us free from the darkness of Satan’s rule. Whoever believes in Jesus will not be condemned.

       Let us profess our faith in this Triune God, opening ourselves to the mystery of Love that is God. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: What is your relationship with the Trinity — Father, Son and the Holy Spirit?

Father, I ask You this favor (state your intention) through Jesus, Your Son, in and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen..