Most Holy Trinity Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: The Blessed Trinity: The Loving God Who Lives With Us

Readings: Ex 34:4b–6, 8–9; 2 Cor 13:11–13; Jn 3:16–18

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the solemnity of one of the greatest mysteries of our Christian faith: the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. This celebration reminds us that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature. They are co‑equal and co‑eternal. Each Person of the Trinity is fully God, yet there is only one God. They are one in substance, distinct in Persons and functions, yet perfectly united in purpose.

Although the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, the teachings of Jesus clearly point to the reality of the existence of the Blessed Trinity—especially when He commanded: “Go into the world and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). St Paul also reveals this unity in today’s second reading when he prays: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

The doctrine of the Blessed Trinity is a truth that no amount of philosophical or scientific research can fully explain or disprove. It is a mystery—one that goes beyond the full grasp of the human mind. Indeed, the very nature of God is beyond our full comprehension. This is why God says through the prophet Isaiah (55:8–9): “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways… as the heavens are high above the earth, so are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”

Thus, the Trinity is a mystery best appreciated with the eyes of faith. As a dogma, it is “an article of faith revealed by God, which the Magisterium of the Church presents as necessary to be believed.” Therefore, St Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:18 becomes essential for us today: “May the Lord enlighten the eyes of your minds so that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance among His holy people.”

Today’s readings reveal beautiful truths about the nature of our Trinitarian God. The first reading presents one of Moses’ encounters with God on Mount Sinai. There, God revealed His name and His nature: “I, the Lord, am a God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” We may not fully grasp the impact of these words unless we remember the kind of gods worshipped by the nations surrounding Israel—gods who were unapproachable, terrifying, vindictive, unpredictable, and harsh. In contrast, the God of Israel revealed Himself as loving, merciful, faithful, and approachable. It filled the people with great joy knowing that their God was not like the gods of other nations. He is a God who loves His creatures, a God who can be spoken to, a God who is a Father. This is our God. We are blessed to have a God who loves us.

The Gospel deepens this revelation. It tells us that God’s love for us is so profound that He united His life with ours by sending His Beloved Son—not to condemn us, but to save us, so that we may share in His eternal life. Our God is both transcendent and immanent. He is the God who dwells in the highest heavens and yet chooses to live among us. He is Emmanuel—God with us. He is not distant from the struggles of His children; He enters into our human condition to redeem it.

To continue experiencing the presence of this loving God in our families and communities, St Paul gives us practical instructions in the second reading: “Brethren, rejoice. Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” Dear friends, the only thing that can deprive us of God’s beautiful presence is living in a way that contradicts His nature. The nature of our God is love, compassion, peace, graciousness, and faithfulness. St Paul challenges us to live according to these divine qualities so that “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” may truly remain with us (2 Cor 13:13).

Happy Feast Day. Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 Trinity Sunday, Year A: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

Theme: The Trinitarian Outreach: An invitation to reach out in love

Gospel Reading (John 3:16-18)

Today is the great solemnity of the Holy Trinity. We celebrate the nature of God; we celebrate the revealed mystery of God. We celebrate the undivided unity of the three Divine persons. We celebrate that God is three and One. We celebrate the love of God.

We celebrate that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one, not three gods. We celebrate that God is one God but coeternal and consubstantial Persons. We celebrate that the persons of the Trinity are distinct yet bonded. The Son is begotten of the Father by an eternal generation and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son by an eternal procession.

We celebrate the Trinity today as a great weapon used by the Church to destroy heresies and misleading teachings about the Godhead. We celebrate that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not just elevated creatures as Aerius and his companions opined but God. We are thankful for the demolition of the erroneous teaching that God the Father created the Son and The Son created the Holy Spirit. We rejoice that Jesus and the Holy Spirit were not denied of their Divinity.

As we celebrate the Holy Trinity Sunday today, it is good to note that the term Trinity never appeared in the Bible but the reality of the Trinity as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit working in unity is seen from the beginning of the scriptures through its end. Theophilus of Antioch (around180C.E) was the first to use it in Greek while Tertullian used it as 'Trinitas' in Latin around 200 C.E.

 

MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY TRINITY

Working as a community

The Trinity is described as a community of love. The understanding that exists among the Holy Trinity should encourage us us to love more, to carry others along, to keep that which separates and go more for those things that unites. It was this Spirit that inspired the invitation in Genesis: " Let us make man in our own image".

There should be a healthy communication in our families and in our society. Do you carry your wife along? Are you open to your husband? Are you known to your children? Is the East aware of what North is doing? Is the Government open to the persons they lead? Do we live as equals while respecting people's roles? Let us share in the life of others and allow them to share our own lives.

 

Learn to reach out

The Trinity lives by reaching out. The Gospel of today says that God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son. When Jesus was about to depart from the earth in His love He emptied himself and poured on the disciples the Holy Spirit.

We are not celebrating egoism, selfishness or nkemdirim but love shared, love given, love expressed indeed!

 

Be Humble

The Trinity celebration is a celebration of the greatness of God and yet the difference between God and creatures notwithstanding, He comes to relate, wants to recreate Himself, invites for a participation in His image and likeness. Cares about man and takes his nature, dwells in man through the Holy Spirit. Let us humble ourselves and foster peace and harmony.

 

Reflect the Trinity holistically

Consciousness of the fact that we cannot do without the Trinity matters. Just as we came into being by the trinitarian call: 'Let us create'', in the Church we too are brought into the Church to share in the trinitarian life through Baptism by the invocation of the Trinity. Let's know the place of the Trinity in our lives, sign ourselves with it always and manifest the Trinity to others always.

The Church in her wisdom begins and ends her celebration of the Holy Mass in the name of the Trinity. She makes her prayers to the Father through Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit. She is empowered to move into the world on mission in obedience to God. This is a replication of the Trinitarian mission. God the Son is a missionary of the Father, (sent by the Father) God the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Let us therefore reach out to people around us spreading the love of the Trinity, doing only what will glorify God.

 

Benediction

The Trinity is the outstanding sign of blessing in the Church. Let us receive the blessedness of the Blessed Trinity and bless others with it. Let us never cease to call upon the Holy Trinity always. Let these Divine Persons possess us. May our creatureliness remain in accord with the will of our loving creator, be redeemed by the mercies of our passionate saviour and be inflamed by the sweet unction of the Holy Spirit.

 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Happy Holy Trinity Sunday (Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Holy Trinity Sunday, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Living a life inspired by the Trinitarian relationship.

Readings: Prov. 8: 22-33; Rom 5: 1-5; Jn 16: 12-15

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, we celebrate the solemnity of one of the greatest mysteries of our Christian faith, the mystery of the Holy Trinity. It is a celebration that reminds us that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, co-equal and co-eternal. Each Person of the Trinity is God, yet there is still only one God; they are one in substance, yet distinct in Persons and functions, but in their functions, there is unity of purpose.

Though the word ‘Trinity’ cannot be found in the Bible, the teachings of Jesus pointed to the reality of the existence of the Blessed Trinity, especially when He instructed us, “Go into the world and baptize them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).

The teaching of the Blessed Trinity is one that no amount of philosophical and scientific research can fully explain or even deny. It is indeed a mystery; it is beyond the full grasp of the human mind. In reality, the nature of our God is beyond the full grasp of the human mind. That was why God said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” (Is. 55:8-9).

Thus, the Trinity is a mystery and can best be appreciated only with the “eyes of faith”. As a dogma, “it is an article of faith revealed by God, which the Magisterium of the Church presents as necessary to be believed…” Hence, St. Paul’s prayer in Eph. 1:18 becomes necessary for us today. It says, “May the Lord enlighten the eyes of your minds so that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

Rather than focusing on the explanation of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, today's readings emphasize the actions of the Trinity. The first reading from the Book of Proverbs reflects on Wisdom, which is personified and was the first creation of God, witnessing the creation of the universe and everything within it. This reading extols the first Person of the Trinity, God the Father, as the creator. In the second reading from St. Paul's letter to the Romans, St. Paul unveils the unified purpose of the Trinity in the salvation of humanity. He instructs us that we attain peace with God the Father through Jesus Christ, and that the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. In the gospel, Jesus traces the relationship that exists between Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. He said, “all that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that the Holy Spirit will take what is mine (that is what belongs to the Father too) and declare it to you.”

We have seen the unity in the Trinitarian relationship and the distinctiveness of their roles. God the Father creates, God the Son redeems and reconciles, while God the Holy Spirit sanctifies and leads us in the truth.

Dear friends in Christ, there are numerous lessons to glean from today’s solemnity. First, the Blessed Trinity is one in essence yet distinct in functions. Similarly, we must strive to be united in faith and in the pursuit of a singular purpose while also acknowledging and respecting our uniqueness – that capacity in us to do good things in different ways. Our uniqueness is evident in the different modes of spirituality and gifts that exist in our church. However, the various gifts and attributes within the church should guide us towards a common goal, which is the establishment of the kingdom of God.

Secondly, the Persons of the Trinity teach us to embrace harmony and reject selfishness as we express our uniqueness in our roles in the Church, society, and family. In the life of the Blessed Trinity, God the Father did the work of creation, the Son redeemed and the Holy Spirit sanctified; they performed three distinct tasks yet did so in a harmonious manner. The actions of the Father paved the way for the actions of the Son, and the actions of the Son set the stage for the actions of the Spirit. None of them worked against the other. Therefore, as we engage in our various tasks within the Church and society, we must refrain from undermining the positive contributions of others. We should avoid manipulating, oppressing, or suppressing fellow members of our families, communities, and Church through our actions. It is essential that we learn to coexist in harmony with one another despite our individual differences and uniqueness. We must not treat others as if they are not part of the same family or community of God. A harmonious life is necessary for the growth of our Church, our families and our society.

The Trinitarian relationship also compels us to embrace community living, a lifestyle that acknowledges and honours the presence of others. If the God we worship exists within a community of Persons, characterized by love and sharing, then all of us who reflect the image of this God should reject any inclination towards isolationism – withdrawal from others and society. The Trinitarian relationship urges us to eliminate all forms of individualism, to cease living in a manner that shuts other people out.

Let us pray that we will model our lives according to the relationship that exists between the Persons of the Blessed Trinity.

Happy Feast Day. Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: DIVINE COMMUNION AND THE CALL FOR HUMAN RELATIONALITY

(John16:12-15)

Today, being the Sunday following the Pentecost celebration, the Church celebrates a great Solemnity. The Church celebrates a great mystery. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the mystery of the Trinity "the mystery of God in himself... The source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. "

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity underscores the fact that there are Three Persons in One God, namely, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. They are coequal Persons, undivided and consubstantial.

Today, we are called to ponder on this great mystery. We are invited to appreciate the revealed realities of the Triune God. Let us praise The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit:

 

Oh eternal Trinity

Oh undivided Unity

Oh love everlasting

Oh truth surpassing total understanding

 

You are One You are Three

What a mystery in human history

What a misery of language

To get involved in this oceanic plunge

 

What a perfect harmony

A harmony expressed in relationality

Between the Trinue persons

In lovely rapport without acrimony

 

The father's love is made manifest in the Son

The Son's gift from the father is the Holy Spirit

What an amorous exchange

A gifting that calls for receptivity

 

The love of the Trinity breaths order upon creation

The expressive love, which gave birth to salvation

And so we have the Church, the emissary of the Trinitarian mission

 

In the Trinity, our meaninglessness acquires meaningfulness

Our disunity translates into unity

And our different roles channel us to our goal, peace in eternity

 

INSIGHT FROM THE GOSPEL

The Trinity is not a mystery based on the fact that nothing is known about it at all. No. The scripture has revealed to us who the Trinity is, but we cannot totally comprehend it all. But the revealed is truly the truth about the Trinity.

In today's gospel, Jesus shows us the relationality and communion that exists between the Trinitarian Persons. The operation of the Blessed Trinity and their undivided bond is laid bare.  The Spirit whom the Father sends in the name of Jesus, when He comes, would not speak of His own authority. He will glorify the Son with the glory of the Father. This is an amazing oneness! From the Trinity, we are called to learn some values.

 

LESSONS FROM THE TRINITY:

UNITY

God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one. Their unity is expressed in the harmony that exists between them ad intra. This is true because love is the bond between them. Theirs is the love so ancient and so New as St Augustine would say.

Can we learn from the Trinitarian unity? Can we endeavour not to put knife on the things that hold us together in order not to fall apart? Can we pay heed to the saying: united we stand, so as not to be divided and fall? Can we as a people look more for things that unite us than things that divide? Unity indeed is strength. May God bring unity among us, in our families and communities. Blessed be the Holy and undivided Trinity now and forever. Amen!

 

COMMUNICATION

The Trinity never jokes with "let us". Communication involves speaking and listening. The Trinity carries each other along so perfectly that differentiation becomes a difficult nut to crack. The power of communication cannot be underestimated. Lack of communication has been the bane of many marital relationships, friendships, institutions, unions and organizations.

Dialogue is indeed a value we can't joke with. It sustains relationship. May God help us in our communication with each and respect for one other.

 

READINESS FOR MISSION

Each of the Persons of the Triune God helped in revealing the goodness of one another. The Son is the missionary of the Father, The Holy Spirit is the missionary of the Father and The Son. They are ever ready to go out. Can we put a stop to locking up ourselves? Can we decide to carry out our mission on earth with Trinitarian Spirit? Can we like the Trinity move out for the good of the other? Take up the task of making the other better? It was really this idea that made the Trinity to want to express the Trinitarian love ad extra. May we be passionate to move out of ourselves to encounter people with the love of God.

 

TRINITARIAN GENEROSITY

The Trinitarian generosity is a prodigal type, a type of kenosis; self-emptying. Jesus expressed it in today's gospel: "All that the Father has is mine; therefore, He will take what is mine and declare it to you" Imagine that! He gives us, he lavishes upon us what is His.

In the Trinity we saw the Divine generosity made manifest in the intention to make man live forever. When this was terminated by sin, God continued giving and gave His only begotten Son. He came and not only revealed the face of God but also died to save and restore.

At Ascension He promises and actually fulfils by sending the Holy Spirit to be with us till the end of time so as to make us live forever. The life that was His, He has given to us.

What a gifting! Having received so much from God, what stops us from being generous with one another. We can share what we have, our time, talent and treasure. May God help us to be generous and not selfish.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

 Almighty and ever living God through this celebration help us to relate well with each other. May we remember the Trinitarian stamp we have received at baptism and fashion our life according to the Most Holy Trinity.

May the blessings of God the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit come down upon us and remain with us both now and forever. Amen

Happy Solemnity of the Trinity.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 

Most Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Living a life inspired by the Trinitarian relationship

Readings: Deut. 4:32-34,39-40; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, we celebrate the solemnity of one of the greatest mysteries of our Christian faith, the mystery of the Holy Trinity. It is a celebration that reminds us that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, they are co-equal and co-eternal. Each Person of the Trinity is God, yet there is still only one God; they are one in substance, yet distinct in Persons and functions, but in their functions, there is unity of purpose.

The teaching of the Blessed Trinity is one that no amount of philosophical and scientific research can fully explain or even deny. It is indeed a mystery; it is beyond the full grasp of the human mind. In reality, the nature of our God is beyond the full grasp of the human mind. That was why God, in the prophet Isaiah (55:8-9), said that: “my thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways. For as the heavens are high above the earth so are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”

The word ‘Trinity’ cannot be found in the Bible, but many teachings of Jesus pointed to the reality of the existence of the Blessed Trinity. One of those teachings is found in today’s gospel reading where Jesus instructed us saying: “Go into the world and baptize them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).

Though today’s second reading didn’t offer any systematic teaching on the Holy Trinity, in it, St Paul presented the three divine persons in their concrete forms and actions. He said: “Led by the Spirit, we are sons of God…And we are heirs with Christ.” It is the same spirit that proceeds from both the Father and the Son that helps us to call God ‘Abba Father’. Elsewhere, in 2 Cor. 13:13 precisely, St Paul showed us the unity of the Blessed Trinity when he said: “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

In the first reading, Moses reminds us of the beautiful and mysterious nature of the works of God. Dear friends, it takes a loving and mysterious God to accomplish such a wonderful and mysterious salvation task. Hence, Moses encourages us to strengthen our faith in God by simply obeying his commandments.

Which of the commandments does the life of the Holy Trinity inspire us to obey? The life and function of the Holy Trinity inspire to live a life of love and unity. Out of love for the Son and for the world, God the Father sent the Son to redeem the world. Out of obedience to the Father and love for both the Father and the world, Jesus Christ the Son accepted death on the Cross for the salvation of mankind. Then, out of love for us, the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit upon us to be our Counsellor, advocate and comforter. In all these actions, we see the Trinity lovingly working in unity for the achievement of the same goal, which is the salvation of mankind.

Dear friends, we who have been created in the image and likeness of God who is three but one, are urged to pay particular attention to the commandment of love and unity. We should embrace love and unity in everything we do and everywhere we find ourselves. If someone who is created in the image and likeness of the Triune God cannot live a life adorned by love and unity in his relationship with fellow human beings, then, there is a problem; such a person cannot fully claim to possess the image of God. Let us, therefore, make unity and love top priorities in our relationships starting from this week.

Let us pray that we will model our lives according to the relationship that exists between the Persons of the Blessed Trinity.

Happy Feast Day. Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima