Deacon Tom Anthony

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Lectionary: 164

Reading 1 Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9

Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai
as the LORD had commanded him,
taking along the two stone tablets.

Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there
and proclaimed his name, "LORD."
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,
"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."
Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.
Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,
do come along in our company.
This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own."

Responsorial Psalm Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Reading 2 2 Cor 13:11-13

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.
All the holy ones greet you.

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

Alleluia Cf. Rv 1:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 3:16-18

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.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
Jesus Christ intentionally puts himself at a disadvantage in the relationship that we have with Him. He has freely given Himself to us by offering Himself up on the Cross so that we may achieve redemption and eternal life. What a monumental display of courage and love. Yes, Jesus loves us so much that He did this for us. What can we really do in return that would mirror this gift? There is nothing that we can do but there is no need to be discouraged. True friends sacrifice everything for their brother and for the ones that they love. He did it as an example for us. In fact, it can be looked at as some sort of challenge. Where do we go from here? What can we possibly do it return for this great gift? The answer is nothing. Christ does not expect anything but, at the same time, appreciates everything that we do in reaction to this.
To further strengthen us, Jesus sent us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, so that we may experience the Love of God more fully. So, we now have the Son who gave everything to us and the Holy Spirit so that we may feel the Love of God. Who are we to be benefactors of such great gift from Jesus Christ which marks the beginning of the relationship with Him? We are then encouraged to take these gifts and claim our birthright as Children of God. We are welcomed into the relationship of the Trinity with no requirements or prerequisites. The only thing that we really have to do is respond to what is given to us. Yes, that may be very hard because of all the distractions that we encounter in our lives but still is it worth it? We need to ask ourselves that question every day: Is it worth it to surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ so as to experience the full relationship of the Trinity because He wanted us to do so? I feel that the proper answer is a resounding YES.
This Trinity Sunday has been developed so that we can more fully enter into what is our destiny: the relationship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have passed through the Easter Season and with its passing we have now gain a fuller understanding of the Resurrected Christ and what He means to us. We must now take that knowledge and apply it to our everyday life. We must now react to the presence of Jesus Christ and take what is ours. It has been offered to us and there is no qualification for this gift. We are Children of God and Children of the Resurrection. This is who we are. Everything else that we thought defined us is nothing in comparison. Jesus Christ is crying out to us to love Him. The Holy Spirit defines that point and the Father has already opened His arms to receive us.
We are armed with all of the tools and weapons necessary to bring about a joyful life. They only have to be used. There is literally an entire toolbox presented before us so as to fix and repair everything that we have done wrong. It is never too late to reverse what we have done wrong. It is never too late to repair that which is broken. Jesus is here to guide us, the Holy Spirit is here to love us, and the Father is here to welcome us. What more is necessary to complete us with the Trinity?
We ask and we receive. We pray and our prayers are answered. We want and we get. Yes, that is what a Christian Life is all about. Never mind what this world offers. Christ is here and Christ wants us to run to Him. Take all that is offered and spread forth the same amount to those who we profess to love. Everyone.
Deacon Tom