Readings:

Ex. 34:4b-6, 8-9; Dn. 3:52-56; 2 Cor. 13:11-13; Jn. 3:16-18

(Audio recorded live, 4 June 2023)

Today, on this first Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. After Jesus’ ascension into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles on Pentecost, as he continues to do today. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life. God alone can make it known to us by revealing himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (CCC 261). This is particularly revealing in the days following Pentecost as we gather together in the Spirit to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Our readings today all touch upon the mystery of God’s love and mercy for his people throughout history. In the Book of Exodus, God reveals himself in a cloud and passes through the camp saying, “The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” From this theophany, God reveals his benevolence and care for his people. This is our first hint that the God of the Old Testament is not an evil God, but a loving God who desires to bestow his blessings upon those who keep his commandments, “continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin” (Ex. 34:7a). St. Paul, therefore, encourages the church in Corinth to mend their ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, and live in peace, so the God of peace will be with them. He said this because there were tensions within the community due to certain preachers promoting a gospel other than the one Paul had taught. In a word, St. Paul is warning against false prophets exhorting the people to stay true to the Word of God as it has been handed on from him. And because of the revelation of Jesus Christ, Paul’s farewell is the Trinitarian formula, now used as the greeting at Mass. He says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” His farewell is a blessing of the highest order, for it invokes the Holy Trinity.

The Gospel is one of the most popular quotes among Christians: “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.” Just the other day, I saw this Bible verse on the back of a semi: John 3:16. This passage highlights once again the love of God, and the extent to which God is willing to go to save sinners: He gave his only begotten Son. This gift allowed for what St. Irenaeus dubbed recapitulation, whereby what we had lost in Adam, i.e. to be according to the image and likeness of God, might be recovered in Christ Jesus (Against Heresies 3.18.1). That is why the mystery of our faith is the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. It is why we focus on this event so intensely during Lent and Easter; it is also cause for our rejoicing today, as we join with the prophet Daniel saying glory and praise forever.

We are blessed because we believe in the only Son of God. We are also touched by the Holy Spirit whenever we celebrate the sacraments. The Catechism teaches: “Inseparable in what they are, the divine persons are also inseparable in what they do. But within the single divine operation each shows forth what is proper to him in the Trinity, especially in the divine missions of the Son’s Incarnation and the gift of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 267).

Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we focus on the gift of salvation won for us by the Son, and we are grateful for the Father’s mercy and love as he forgives our sins and invites us to deeper relationship with him in the Spirit. May our celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass today help us to better experience the closeness of our Triune God as we pray together in the Spirit, through Christ, to our Almighty Father.