In What Kind of God Do You Believe? Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity JUNE 2023

Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Year A

Exodus 34:4b-6,8-9. Daniel 3:29-30,31,33,32,34. 2 Corinthians 13:11-13. John 3:16-18.

Theme: In What Kind of God Do You Believe?

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This, the ineffable mystery of God's intimate life, is the central truth of our faith and the source of all gifts and graces. This feast was established by Pope John XXII to be celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost Sunday.

The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, which is three persons in One God. The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. They are not three Gods but one God. They are not three persons in one Person, neither are they three gods in one God. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.

It is a mystery, meaning that it is something above human understanding but not contrary to human reasoning. This mystery was not revealed to the Jews of the Old Testament. They were not yet fit to accept this truth. Surrounded as they were by nations that practised polytheism (many gods), there would be danger that the Jews would see three Gods in the Trinity. Hence, it was not revealed to them, and therefore, we have no Trinitarian text in the Old Testament, which could be read on today's celebration. But, there are verses in the Old Testament to show that the God who created the universe did not work alone. These can be found in the following: "Let us make man in our own image and likeness" (Gen.1:26; Gen.3:22). "Let us go down and confuse their language" (Gen.11:6-7). "Who will go for us" (Isa.11:6-7).

Though the word Trinity is not in the New Testament but we have in the Gospel, Jesus making reference to it. He commissioned his disciples to, "Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations. Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spiritl" (Matt.28:19). "In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God. All things was made through him, and without him was made nothing that was made" (John 1:1-3). "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:38). "To have seen me is to have seen the Father" (cf.John 14:7-13). "It is the Holy Spirit that the Father sends in my name that teaches us everything" (cf. Jon 16:11). "Everything the Father has is mine" (John 16:15,27). "That they may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you" (John 17:21).

All three readings today teach us something about the nature of God. The first reading tells us that our God is different from the gods worshipped by people of other religions. "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exo.34:16).

The Gospel tells us that He has not moved away from us but has joined his life to the world and to ours that "he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

The second reading teaches us that God is family, a family open to us all such that when we agree with one another and live in peace, the God of love and peace will be with us (cf.2 Cor.13:11-12). To conclude, the second reading, St. Paul greeted the Corinthians with the Trinitarian formula, which is the format of our greetings at the beginning of Mass, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Cor.13:13).

Often, when confronted with questions about the Holy Trinity, we are quick to respond that the dogma of the Holy Trinity is a mystery that no philosophical debate or scientific findings can unravel. We also note that God has revealed himself and will continue to reveal himself in various ways to us. 

The three readings teach us something about the nature of God. The first reading points to the fact that God is love. Love is of the very nature of God. Everything God does, He does out of love. That is why the reason for the Son of God coming into our world was love. This is what we read in today's Gospel passage. We might add that God (the Father and the Son) loved the world so much that they gave us the Holy Spirit. Thus, it was not only the Son that came because of the love of God for the world, but the Holy Spirit, too.

The second reading presents us with the love that exists between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Despite being three distinct Persons, they have one essence. They are eternally one and united. God the Father is the Creator, God the Son is the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier. The Father created with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Hence, at creation, we read, "Let us create man in our image and likeness." Likewise, the work of redemption and sanctification was carried together by the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. They are eternally one and united.

Hence, the triune God is for us a model of unity in our relationships, friendships, marriages, families, and communities. Despite our differences in talents, gifts, social, and economic values, we can live and work together for our salvation and that of the world.

May our celebration today keep us united in doing things pleasing to God always through Christ our Lord. Amen. May God bring a peaceful resolution to the war in Sudan between Russia and Ukraine and bring about a new Nigeria where there will be progress and prosperity through Christ our Lord. Amen. I wish you a happy Sunday, a happy feast day, and a fruitful week ahead.