May 26, 2024 is Trinity Sunday. There are many ways in which people have come to know God: the God whom we have come to know as the origin of all that is, we call God the Father; the God whom we have come to know as the Word made flesh, we call God the Son; the God whom we have come to know as the divine presence in the world, we call God the Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three different persons but they are all the One God.
The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is the means through which the Church articulates the three-fold way in which God has revealed Himself in human history; it can be seen as very abstract and complex, but ultimately, it is very practical. Between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit there is unity and self-giving love. Therefore, we who are made in the image of God are called to be united in love. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity helps to remind us who we really are, that we are the beloved people of God who are called to love God and others.
In the world today, which has so much violence and injustice, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is so important. There is so much anger, resentment, hatred and intolerance in the world today. For example, when we go to the grocery store, or when we are driving, we are likely to encounter rude, disrespectful and inconsiderate people. There is anger even in the home. As a result, many people end up with hurt feelings. How can we reduce the amount of anger in the world today? May we be God’s instruments of peace in the world, rather than anger.
As we contemplate the Trinity as three divine persons loving each other eternally, unconditionally and unselfishly, let us not forget that the Holy Trinity is indeed God’s family; a family in which we have been called to be a part of. If you are here today, it is because God the Father has called you into being, God the Son, Jesus Christ, has called you to follow Him, and God the Holy Spirit has inspired your heart to accept God’s calling. We are here today to celebrate, to believe and to serve.