Trinity Sunday, 30 May 2010,

FATHER

When we entered the church building today we may have blessed ourselves with Holy Water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By this we recall our Baptism when we were called into the family of God. The Creed we pray at today’s Mass expresses belief in one God, one Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is a great mystery. This doesn’t mean that we can’t say anything but we cannot fully explain the wonder of God.

During the RCIA programme, one session is on The Mystery of the Trinity. Listening to the observations of those taking part has helped me in my own appreciation of the Trinity. The candidates grasp the fundamentals: that there is One God; His nature is Love; God is a loving community of three Persons. Most of all they express their delight that God is not distant.

SON

Last weekend we celebrated First Holy Communions on Saturday and Confirmations on Sunday. On these occasions I experience God as very close when young people and their families are specially blessed by God as they receive Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This is God working among His people. A Sacrament is a privileged channel of God’s giving to us.

We are so blessed to have this intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If God were not in relationship with us it would still be wonderful to know about Him. But, God sent His Son into the world because His love for us is so great. When Jesus was going back to His Father, He promised to send the Holy Spirit who would be with us always. In this way God looks after us.

Better is to come. When our time on earth is ended, God will be waiting to bring us home.

HOLY SPIRIT

At the other side of death we hope and pray that God will be waiting to claim us. Then for all eternity we will be in the presence of the Most Holy Trinity. The life of God will no longer be a Mystery for us because we shall see God face to face and become part of communion of saints.

On this Trinity Sunday we have this strong note of Hope given us by God. There are times when the mystery of our own life and other people are a great challenge to our understanding. There are times when I am a mystery to myself every bit as great as the Mystery of the Trinity. In such moments, I pray:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Also pray the Our Father as taught by Jesus. The Trinity is best understood in worship and prayer.

Aidan Troy, C.P. [Aodhn Troighthigh, C.P.]