SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
(Deuteronomy 4:31-34,39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew
28:16-20)
Many preachers don't like to preach today. They say
something like: “How can I explain the Holy Trinity to others? It's as
complicated as teaching Einstein's relativity." This statement is curious
because, according to theologians, God is above all simple.
When the theologians say that God is simple, they mean, in
the first place, that He has no parts. As a spiritual being, God has no
extensions like legs, a mouth, or a brain that mighty be described as tall,
fat, dark, or any other quality. But God's simplicity goes beyond being spiritual.
God was never created so that He could be called either old or young. Likewise,
he has never been dependent on anything or anyone so that it might be said that
He has lacked something. Nor has He changed
so that it might be said that He has improved or diminished.
Yes, we can say that God is true, loving, wise, etc., but
not in the sense that God has the characteristics of truth, love, wisdom, etc.,
like we may have; that is, up to a certain point. Rather because God is simple,
He must be truth, love, wisdom, etc., in themselves. This means that God is the basis of truth,
love, wisdom, and all other qualities, including existence. In other words, if
it were not for the presence of God to it, nothing can have truth, love,
wisdom, or even existence.
The First Letter of John tells us, “God is love.” The phrase itself indicates why the One God may
be likened to three persons. To achieve
love, three things are necessary. There must be a lover, a loved one, and a
relationship between the two. We usually identify God the Father as the lover
and God the Son as the beloved although we can say with equal validity that the
Son loves the Father. Anyway, the relationship between these two is God Holy
Spirit. Although God is perfectly content with this mutual love, He wanted to
share it with humans. We not only exist because God loves us, but we have the
Holy Spirit to love like God. We can sacrifice what is precious to us, even our
lives, for the good of another.
There was a young woman who did exactly that. After
graduating from college she dedicated six years as a missionary bringing the
faith to other college students. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, always
welcoming newcomers at assemblies and spending most of her time with those who
seemed in need of a friend. At the age of thirty she was diagnosed with ovarian
cancer and died a year later. Two months before her death, the young woman
wrote a letter to Jesus. She told him: “Jesus, not only do I want to be a
saint, but I want to be a great saint who brings others to you -- of course for
your greater honor and glory!”
The Church has declared this young woman a “Servant of God.”
She is on her way to being recognized as a saint. For us she serves as a model
and a sign. We should also love others by trying to bring them to God.
Furthermore, she shows us how true love is not exclusive but, as in the Holy
Trinity, solicitous of others.
