Deut 4:32-34, 39-40; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20
Like Augustine we may not be able to understand the mystery of the Trinity. But we can describe the mystery, in the words of the Athanasian Creed: "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods
but one God." Jesus knew very well that the disciples and his listeners were not able to understand the meaning of his message. Jesus expressed it in today's Gospel. "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." Jesus revealed himself to the people gradually and as understandable to them. First He taught them to recognize in Himself the Eternal Son of God. When His ministry was drawing to a close, He promised that the Father would send another Divine Person, the Holy Spirit, in His place. Finally after His resurrection, He revealed the doctrine in explicit terms, bidding them "go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:18).
"Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost, was instituted
to honour the Most Holy Trinity. This Special celebration
was introduced by the early church. St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of
Canterbury introduced it all over England and Pope John XX11
made this practice universal.
The
importance of this doctrine lies in this: we are made in the image of
God, therefore, the more we understand God the more we can understand
ourselves. St. Paul tells us that through sufferings, endurance, the
forming of character and hope, God's love is poured into our hearts through the
indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore the celebration of the mystery of Holy
Trinity reminds us that we have to grow in unity
like the perfect Unity that exists in Trinity.
God
does not exist in isolated individualism but in a community of
relationships. Therefore man
can live, grow and find fulfilment only in and through society. John
Donne expresses this reality, "No man is an
island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent … any man's death
diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to
know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
No great objective can be attained by lone individuals. Several people
have to strive together if even the simplest things are to be achieved.
The great Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, and the numerous
wonders that arrest our attention and leave us baffling are just the
result of human unity. The psalmist declares that there is joy in unity- Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psa
133:1). Jesus prayed for it (Jn 17:20-22). The Apostle Paul pleaded for it (1
Cor 1:10; 3:3-5; Phil 1:27; Phil 2:1-2). The church practiced it (Acts
4:32).
The greatest hindrance to unity is selfishness (Phil 2:4). When we
strive to overcome our selfishness we will be able to contribute
positively to strengthen our relation with others. The Latin
saying, "By union the smallest states thrive, by discord the greatest are
destroyed" should remind us of our role in maintaining unity in
our parish, family and our society.
May
God, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit shower their blessings on
us and help us to strengthen our bond of unity.