Most Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Living a life inspired by the Trinitarian relationship

Readings: Deut. 4:32–34,39–40; Rom 8:14–17; Mt 28:16–20

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, we celebrate the solemnity of one of the greatest mysteries of our Christian faith, the mystery of the Holy Trinity. It is a celebration that reminds us that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, they are co-equal and co-eternal. Each Person of the Trinity is God, yet there is still only one God; they are one in substance, yet distinct in Persons and functions, but in their functions, there is unity of purpose.

The teaching of the Blessed Trinity is one that no amount of philosophical and scientific research can fully explain or even deny. It is indeed a mystery; it is beyond the full grasp of the human mind. In reality, the nature of our God is beyond the full grasp of the human mind. That was why God, in the prophet Isaiah (55:8–9), said that: “my thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways. For as the heavens are high above the earth so are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”

The word ‘Trinity’ cannot be found in the Bible, but many teachings of Jesus pointed to the reality of the existence of the Blessed Trinity. One of those teachings is found in today’s gospel reading where Jesus instructed us saying: “Go into the world and baptize them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).

Though today’s second reading didn’t offer any systematic teaching on the Holy Trinity, in it, St Paul presented the three divine persons in their concrete forms and actions. He said: “Led by the Spirit, we are sons of God…And we are heirs with Christ.” It is the same spirit that proceeds from both the Father and the Son that helps us to call God ‘Abba Father’. Elsewhere, in 2 Cor. 13:13 precisely, St Paul showed us the unity of the Blessed Trinity when he said: “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

In the first reading, Moses reminds us of the beautiful and mysterious nature of the works of God. Dear friends, it takes a loving and mysterious God to accomplish such a wonderful and mysterious salvation task. Hence, Moses encourages us to strengthen our faith in God by simply obeying his commandments.

Which of the commandments does the life of the Holy Trinity inspire us to obey? The life and function of the Holy Trinity inspire to live a life of love and unity. Out of love for the Son and for the world, God the Father sent the Son to redeem the world. Out of obedience to the Father and love for both the Father and the world, Jesus Christ the Son accepted death on the Cross for the salvation of mankind. Then, out of love for us, the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit upon us to be our Counsellor, advocate and comforter. In all these actions, we see the Trinity lovingly working in unity for the achievement of the same goal, which is the salvation of mankind.

Dear friends, we who have been created in the image and likeness of God who is three but one, are urged to pay particular attention to the commandment of love and unity. We should embrace love and unity in everything we do and everywhere we find ourselves. If someone who is created in the image and likeness of the Triune God cannot live a life adorned by love and unity in his relationship with fellow human beings, then, there is a problem; such a person cannot fully claim to possess the image of God. Let us, therefore, make unity and love top priorities in our relationships starting from this week.

Let us pray that we will model our lives according to the relationship that exists between the Persons of the Blessed Trinity.

Happy Feast Day. Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima