The Most Holy Trinity
Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
John 3:16-18
Not too long ago a friend accused me of “thinking just like a Catholic.” Even though Catholics don’t think in a certain way, there is some truth in my friend’s words. My faith has formed me as much as my education and my values are as intrinsic to my Catholic beliefs as my temper is to my personality.
Throughout this season, I have thought about those who entered the Church at the Easter Vigil. Those of us who were baptized as infants experience faith very differently from those who join the Church as adults. Sometimes I envy the newness and fervor of the neophytes’ faith. Still, I know their enthusiasm might easily be tempered by the uneasiness that comes with learning new customs and traditions.
Fortunately, understanding is not dependent on repetition or on the length of one’s relationship to the Church. Instead, there seems to be a special instinct within and a special moment when heart speaks to heart. Some would call it grace and I would not disagree.
It was like that for Jesus’ first disciples. Throughout his public life, Jesus spoke of the power of his Resurrection and the future he planned for those who would follow him. The Gospel stories clearly indicate that the apostles—for the most part—did not understand. For some of them, the Resurrection was the occasion for that special insight moment when they experienced the thrust toward the Kingdom and committed themselves to the Lord’s work.
Trinity Sunday can be that sort of liturgical insight moment for each of us. Even though the feast has traditionally signified the end of the liturgical season of Easter, it does not, at first sight, seem to be a Resurrection feast. Yet, the power of the Resurrection and its meaning in the Christian life are made explicit in the readings for this day.
The First Reading focuses on the “favored nation.” The law and the commandments are the Law of Moses. The commandment of the Gospel is the introduction to a new way of life made possible by the Resurrection. It is clear that salvation is available to all.
After the Resurrection, many who doubted Jesus’ presence cast their doubts aside, knelt before him and proclaimed their faith. They committed themselves to living and proclaiming a life modeled after the relationship of the Trinity. The activity of their community reminded those who observed it that Jesus lives.
As we celebrate Eucharist today, we remember our task. We give thanks for the gift of faith. We remember the creative gifts of the Father, the salvific power of the Risen Christ and the gifts sent through the Holy Spirit. For the gift of this faith, we give thanks.
