“IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

DT 4:32-34, 39-40; PS 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22; ROM 8:14-17; MT 28:16-20

A seminarian after his talk during a catechetical meeting was asked by a catechist, “Brod, we have been teaching little children about the proper way of making the sign of the cross. Now, let me ask you, who invented the sign of the cross?” It was not only a question of curiosity but a very valid one. As Catholics, we have been making the sign of the cross since we were young. A day will not be complete if we do not mark ourselves with the cross. But do we know its origin? Do we know its meaning? The sign of the cross is not just an ordinary act of piety. Rather, it gives us the summary of faith. It teaches us of what we believe. It reminds us of God who is Triune – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We must make it clear that the term, “Trinity,” is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, in the New Testament, we can find the terms, “Father,” “Son,” and “Spirit” like in our Gospel text for today. The term “Trinity” was coined by a Church Father, Tertullian, who wrote extensively about the subject in the third century. The mystery of the Trinity lies in the truth that there is only One God yet Three Divine Persons.

Nevertheless, such mystery is not a reason for us not to celebrate today’s solemnity. It’s true that we cannot fully understand the God whom we truly believe yet the same God has continuously invited us to be always with Him; to “remain in his love.”

Our readings today remind us of who God is; of who the Father, Son, and Spirit is. In our first reading, Deuteronomy tells us that the Father is not like the other gods of other nations. Rather, He is a God who ventures and takes “a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, with strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors.” This is the Exodus event! God is not a distant God. He is a God “who hears the cry of the poor.” He is  a God so close to us.

In our second reading, Paul tells us that it is the Spirit who leads us to become sons of God. We are made adopted sons of the Father through the Spirit thus we are able to cry out, “Abba Father!” The Spirit of God is not like the other spirits who lures us with evil. Rather, the Spirit of God is our “Advocate.” He helps us become less worthy sons and daughters of the Father.

Finally, in our Gospel, Matthew tells us that Jesus, God the Son, sends us into a mission to proclaim the goodness of God. “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.” Indeed, believing in a God who journeys with us and who makes us His adopted children, is not meant for ourselves. Our God is a God meant to be shared. Thus, we are all sent to a task of evangelization.

God is a Trinity. God is a mystery. Yet, He is a God who journeys with us. He is a God who adopts us as His children. He is a God who sends us into a mission of evangelization. This is our challenge then, that we become like Him. Like the Father, may we also journey with other people especially those who are left out in society. Like the Spirit, may we never exclude others especially those who are not like us. Like the Son, may we also go to the peripheries and share with them the goodness of the Lord. If God is not distant with us, then, there is no reason for us to distance ourselves with one another.

As Catholics, the sign of the cross has always been part of our lives. As they say, “we become what we eat.” But it is also true that “we become what we do.” Thus, the question is, every time we make the sign of the cross, have we become like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Amen. 

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