The Most Holy Trinity

05-29-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity is difficult for many people to understand or accept because it is a mystery that is beyond full human comprehension. The Holy Trinity is three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit with one nature in one God. Not three Gods but one God manifesting himself in three distinct persons. The inner relationship of the Trinity is such that each person is fully co-equal and co-eternal, but one in essence and nature. Several analogies can be used to describe the mystery of the Trinity. For instance, “time” can be manifested as past, present and future. Each of them is time, but manifested in three distinct ways. Another analogy is the mystery of the human person made up of body, soul and spirit. The three parts are quite distinct, but coexist as a single human being.

There are several references in the Bible about the inner relationship of three persons in one God. The first reference is found in the account of the Creation of Man when God said, “Let us make Man in our image and likeness.” (Gen 1:26). Biblical scholars explain that the reference to “Us” and “Our” points to the co-eternal existence of three persons in one God. Jesus made reference to the Trinity in the Gospel reading today when He said, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

In the story of Salvation, we commonly refer to God the Father as the Creator, God the Son as the Redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit as the Sanctifier. However, though they are three distinct persons, neither the Father nor the Son nor the Holy Spirit ever exists or acts in isolation from the other two persons of the Godhead. The unity of three persons in one God is a reminder that we, too, made in God’s image and likeness must demonstrate our faith in a trinitarian dimension, with the horizontal relationship with our neighbors and the vertical relationship with God. This shows that our faith is not an individual property. It cannot survive without our connection with God and our neighbors within the Church community.

Thank you and remain blessed,

Fr. James

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