11th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C, 2025

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity 

Reflection by Fr Collins Akhigbe OP 

Scriptural passages 

1st reading. Prov. 8:22-31. Psalm 8. 2nd reading. Rom. 5:1-5. Gospel. John 16:12-15The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Scriptural passages 

1st reading. Prov. 8:22-31. Psalm 8. 2nd reading. Rom. 5:1-5. Gospel. John 16:12-15

Theme: The Holy Trinity 

We celebrate today the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is one of the central mysteries of the Christian faith. It teaches that there is one God in three distinct Persons: The Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. These three Persons are co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial (of the same essence), yet there is only one God. The three readings today aid our reflection on the identity of the Christian God. It is important to know who our God is and what it entails to believe in a God who is three-in-one. The first reading tells us that the Father creates with wisdom, not randomly or in a confused way; he has a plan of salvation to achieve. The second reading presents the work of the Son who glorifies the Father. The gospel clarifies the work of the Spirit. He will bring to completion the work of the Father and the Son. The doctrine of the most Holy Trinity is a great mystery beyond human understanding. We cannot truly fathom the essence of what we are celebrating. The Lord Jesus Christ gave us a grimes of this unfathomable mystery. At the baptism of Jesus Christ, the holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove while the voice of the Father was heard, this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased (Mt 3:13-17). The Lord spoke about his Father. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. (Jn 14:2). Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him (Jn 14:23). The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name, he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you (Jn 14:26). The Lord gave a mandate to his disciples to go and proclaim the kingdom of God to all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19). The Lord told us, the Father and I are one (Jn 10:30). In this reflection we shall highlight what the Most Holy Trinity is about and how to emulate the example of the Most Holy Trinity.

Who Is The Holy Trinity?

First, the teaching of the Church is that God is One in Three Persons, namely, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We believe in monotheism, that there is only one God. This one God exists as a Trinity of three divine Persons. It is a perfect community of Love. The Lord pointed out these three persons when he commissioned his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Mat. 28:19). The apostle Paul hinted this same point in the following prayer. “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. 13:14). The Catechism teaches us, “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life.” (CCC # 234). 

Second, in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, we hold that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God Each Person is fully God, not a part of God. Does it mean there are three Gods? There is only One God. All things came from the Father and for whom we live (1 Cor. 8:6). In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word is God and the word took flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:1, 14). The scripture tells us that we are the temple of the holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16). The Catechism teaches, “Each of the persons is God, whole and entire.” (CCC # 253). 

Third, the three Persons of the Holy Trinity are Distinct, yet not separate. This is why it is a mystery. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, yet they are not three gods but one God. “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.” (John 3:35). 

The Master told us, “The Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.” (John 15:26). The Catechism tells us, “The divine persons are really distinct from one another.” (CCC # 254). “The three divine persons are inseparable in what they are and what they do.” (CCC # 255).

Fourth, there is a Trinitarian relationship of Love. The Trinity is a perfect communion of love. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, and this mutual love is the Holy Spirit. “God is love.” (1 John 4:8). The Master told us, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” (John 15:9). The Catechism teaches us, “God’s very being is love. By sending his only Son and the Spirit of love, God reveals his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love.” (CCC # 221). 

Fifth, the Holy Trinity in salvation history. The Father creates and sends the Son. The Son redeems the world through His death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit sanctifies and gives life to the Church.

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.” (Gal. 4:4). The Church teaches us, “The whole Christian life is a communion with each of the divine persons.” (CCC # 259). 

How To Emulate The Holy Trinity 

First, we should dwell in love as one family of God. We should respect each person as a child of God. We should not look down on anyone since we are created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27). 

Second, we should live a humble and simple life like the Holy Trinity. The apostle Paul tells us to have the mind of Christ who though was God but did not claim equality with God (Phil. 2:5-6). God is simple and gentle with all that He has created. 

Third, we should sacrifice for one another. The Lord Jesus came to show us the way of sacrifice and commitment. The Lord God has shown us how much he loves us by sending his son to die for us while we were in sin (Rom. 5:8).

Fourth, we should dwell in unity in imitation of the Holy Trinity. Many families today are divided with lots of divorce. We have become selfish and greedy. If we stand for truth and righteousness, we would experience unity and harmony. Living a life of sin is what divide us. Let us support one another. Let us cooperate with one another. This is the example of the early brethren. The Lord prayed that they may be one. “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are.” (John 17:11). 

Fifth, let us strive perfection as the Most Holy Trinity is perfect. The Master told us, “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”(Mt 5:48). To emulate the Holy Trinity, we must strive towards perfection and holiness. The scripture tells us, “be holy as your heavenly Father is holy (1 Peter 1:16). These are some of the ways we can emulate the Holy Trinity.

Prayers 

Lord, give us the gift of understanding and wisdom. Lord, help us to love you above all things. Lord, give us the grace of holiness and righteousness. Lord, help us to love one another. Lord, deliver us from hypocrisy and duplicity. Lord, please, sustain us till the very end. Amen. Wishing you happy feast day.

With lots of prayers and love.