Exodus 34.4b-6,8-9 | 2 Corinthians 13.11-13 | John 3.16-18

On the Sunday following Pentecost, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, the central mystery of the Christian faith: the one true God is formed by three distinct divine Persons in perfect communion of love. The Christian God is the Creator Father, who sent the Savior Jesus, His only begotten Son, into the world, and together they sent the Sanctifying Spirit to those who believe. It is a mystery that has been revealed throughout the history of salvation and that surpasses human understanding and, therefore, must be received with faith, on our knees.

The unity of the three divine Persons inspires communion in the Church, where the diversity of members is seen as a gift to others, and not as a threat. The originality of each Christian is valued and harmonized in a broader project of life and sanctification for all. The dignity of the human person is highlighted, and communion is awakened in this increasingly divided and threatened world.

Today, the Evangelist John speaks to us of the Father's immense love for the world, to the point of saving it by sending Jesus, His only begotten Son.

The incarnation of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, in first-century Palestine, was part of God's loving plan for the salvation of the world. It was never the Father's desire to judge the world or condemn it to death; on the contrary, His intention from the beginning was to offer it salvation and eternal life through faith in the Name of the Son.

When God's love is embraced by man's faith, the salvation of the world is realized. The Father, the only begotten Son, and the Spirit of love—each in their own way—work so that man may receive eternal life.

Today, the author of the book of Exodus speaks to us of the prayer of praise and supplication to the Lord God made by Moses.

On Mount Sinai, the Lord descended in the cloud and passed before Moses, who carried with him the two tablets of stone (containing the ten commandments).

Before bowing down to the ground and prostrating himself, Moses praised the Lord's mercy, clemency, patience, kindness, and faithfulness. Then he pleaded with Him to walk with the Hebrews—a stubborn people in need of forgiveness and acceptance.

The Lord was the one true God. Outside of Him there was no other god. All honor and glory should be given by the Hebrews exclusively to the Lord. For us Christians, this one true God was three distinct Persons, equally worthy of honor and glory, who have revealed themselves throughout the history of salvation as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Like Moses, let us praise the Holy Trinity, let us plead with It, bowing down to the ground and prostrate in adoration, that It may walk with us, forgive our sins, and welcome us.

Today, the apostle Paul speaks to us at the end of his second letter to the Corinthians about perseverance in community life, bidding farewell with a greeting in reference to the Holy Trinity.

The apostle exhorted the Corinthians to joy, improvement, mutual encouragement, concord, and peace, in the certainty of the constant presence of the God of love and peace.

Our communities should imitate the divine Persons of the Holy Trinity, allowing each member to be what they are, contributing with their originality to the broader project of life and sanctification for all.

Paul related grace to the Lord Jesus Christ, love to God, and communion to the Holy Spirit, wishing that the Holy Trinity would be with all the Corinthians.

This Pauline reference to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, besides being ancient (possibly from the year 55 AD), is widely used in the liturgical greetings of the Mass, right after the invocation of the Holy Trinity, in the initial rites.

On this solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, let us ask God for the grace to understand and proclaim to all the mystery of the one and triune God, formed by three distinct divine Persons, perfectly united in love. May we kneel to receive with faith what the intellect is incapable of understanding. May the Church reflect the unity of the Trinity in fraternal community life, influencing this world so marked by divisions.

And on the Thursday following the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Church celebrates Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Eucharist. Let us organize ourselves to participate in this great solemnity.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen!

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