As Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River, the Holy Trinity is revealed in full glory, calling forth our response to reject what is evil and follow the Lord with all our heart.
This essential mystery of Christianity, that there is one God revealed in three divine Persons, speaks about a unity of a community founded in love. May the example of the Most Holy Trinity inspire us to unite in love as we foster the communion we share with God and one another.
Here are some of the themes in the Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
1st Reading – Exodus 34:4b-6,8-9
Moses, holding the stone tablets, encounters the Lord on Mount Sinai.
Moses asks the Lord to accompany the stiff-necked people of Israel and pardon their wickedness and sins.
Psalm – Deuteronomy 3:52-55
“Glory and praise for ever!”
Blessed be the Lord who is holy, glorious, praiseworthy, and exalted above all forever.
2nd Reading – 2nd Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul exhorts the people to mend their ways as they encourage one another to live in peace.
Paul then extends the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit to be with them.
Gospel – John 3:16-18
One of the most beloved lines in the entire Bible: “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.”
God sends his Son, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Jesus refers to the Trinity in John’s Gospel, pointing out that we are “works in progress” who are growing in our discipleship and communion with one another.
In John’s Gospel we see the relationship between Jesus and His Father, revealing his divine origin as the just judge who is our loving Savior and Lord.
The love between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit becomes the model for Christian discipleship. The indivisible unity of the Trinity – overflowing with love – guides and directs the Church to unite from within and without as we strive to grow closer together in love.
Three Great Things 