Nearly every preacher approaches the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity with some trepidation, and I’m one of them. Lately I’ve come to a more meaningful embrace of the Father, Son, and Spirit, so permit me to share some of what I’ve come to understand. The teaching of the Trinity has its share of complexities: “one God, three Persons,” an “everlasting unity,” and so forth. The truth defies logic, but the beauty of it paints the story of our Christian lives: to know God as Father, Son, and Spirit is to live in the landscape of an undying and pervasive love that is given to us by The Three every day. To put it another way, imagine having someone in your life who loved you from the very beginning, showed you how to live life abundantly, and walked beside you forever through every joy and challenge. That’s God as a Trinity, and that’s what John’s Gospel proclaims: “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.” The Creator sent the Redeemer who remains with us as Advocate – and they are one. Only God could keep us fully alive and feeling loved in such a splendid way.
The unity of the Trinity is paramount to our understanding of the relationship of The Three. Together, as One, the Trinity provides the gifts — and even the fire in our soul — that we need to love God, follow His commandments, and love one another. This gift of unity speaks to me when unity in families, in the Church, and in our country, is compromised. Sometimes words and actions reflect division more than a splendid unity. Saint Paul calls us to right living in today’s second reading: “Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.” Jesus has taught us over and over how to treat one another: “love one another as I have loved you.” That was demonstrated in parables like the Good Samaritan, in washing the feet of the disciples, in embracing the leper, in healing, in giving us the gift of peace. Jesus also taught us how to pray, and I always believe that’s the best place to start. Our prayers will make a powerful difference, so let’s pray for what we need: maybe it’s healing, or understanding, or peace. No matter what it is, the Trinity will hear us, heal us, understand us, and bring us peace.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Welcome to the Saint Aloysius! Our parish was founded in 1896 to serve the Catholic families that were settling in the greater New Canaan area.