The Trinity, three persons in one God, is the most basic teaching of the Christian faith. It manifests the far-reaching influence of God’s love, through three persons, in our lives. This teaching is found in the New Testament Bible, and is nowhere more clearly stated than in the gospel of John, chapter sixteen. Here, Jesus talks about His relationship with God, the Father in Heaven (John 6:38), whose will he came to do on earth, and about His relationship with the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) who guides us and leads us to a greater understanding of the good news of the gospel.
The Trinity is a Christian teaching whose mystery keeps on giving. In this message, I will take a pastoral and practical approach to show how each of the Divine Persons influences the way we live. So, let’s begin with God, the Father:
God the Father embraces all of God’s children on earth. As believers in the Fatherhood of God, we are called to respect and love all of God’s people irrespective of religious denomination, creed, social origin or background. God the Father reveals himself to us in so many ways: in nature, in the wonderful cycle of the seasons, in the gift of our common humanity, in the lives of saints and prophets, in the discoveries of the light of human reason, in the divine light of conscience shining within us. The forty six books of the Old Testament Bible deal with salvation history and recount the deeds of God the Father for his chosen people, culminating in the ten commandments. As believers in the Fatherhood of God, we need to respect everyone as a child of God. We must care for the world of natural creation, treat it with reverence, and not abuse it. The love of God the Father encompasses all people and all creation. Treat others, therefore, no matter who they are, with tolerance and respect even if you don’t agree with them, and show your love of nature by the way you care for it.
The second person of the Trinity is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The twenty seven books of the New Testament deal with the life and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who enables every Christian to offer genuine and practical witness of his or her love of God. Since the Christian believes in Christ, he or she will be impelled to give expression to that belief by example modeled on the life of Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.. To follow Christ is to deepen our appreciation of the Trinity by loving each other the way Christ loves us. Jesus Christ came into this world to save us from sin, to redeem our human nature, and to show us how to love one another. Little acts of human kindness may seem small and insignificant, but their power to inspire and renew others are incalculable. Don’t be afraid to let your light shine by being a good neighbor.
The Holy Spirit as the third person of the trinity raises our appreciation of God’s love to another level. The Holy Spirit has been described by Christ in the gospels as the spirit of Truth (John 16:13), who will teach us those things that we still must know. The work of the Holy Spirit among the people of God is progressive and leads to a more profound appreciation of the faith. We do not know everything there is to know about God’s love because God is a mystery. The Holy Spirit is there to enlighten us whenever the need and occasion arises. This is a wonderful truth, a truth that should make us humble and grateful. The Holy Spirit is working through the ecumenical movement that strives to create bridges between different faiths and denominations. The Holy Spirit is active in the social and healing ministry of committed Christians who strive to improve society. The Holy Spirit is always active in the lives of Christians who, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, strive to understand the word of God better and apply it to their lives.
Let us never forget that when we discuss any of the persons of the Holy Trinity we are also talking of the fullness of the Godhead, present in all three persons.
May the way we live reflect a deeper appreciation of the mystery of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
—Fr. Hugh Duffy
4 Comments
Tom Walsh
Thank you Fr. Hugh for breaking the Mystery of the Three Divine Persons down into a practical and logical explanation, it is very much appreciated. Take care and God Bless You in your Ministry. Tom
Tom Rooney
Thank you father Hugh ,inspiring work
Bartholomew Okere
Fr. Duffy, you clearly & professionally categorized & catechezed the dimensions & spiritual connections of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Since according to some Church fathers like St. Augustine finds it incomprehensible to u/stand the Three Persons of the Trinity, but you made it simple for the ordinary Christian faithful to u/stand. Thanks immensely for your wkly reflections.
Hugh Duffy
Thanks, Bartholomew, for your comment. I think the problem in the past with regard to the Trinity was an abstract and intellectual approach to understanding the mystery.
A better approach is the pastoral one which looks at the implications of the three persons of the Trinity in one’s real life.
This shift from the abstract to the pastoral approach was ushered in by the Second Vatican Council.