Embracing the Mystery of the Holy Trinity

 

Summary

Today, we stand in awe before the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—at the very heart of our faith. These recent weeks have drawn us through the great feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost, and now we pause to contemplate the God who is both one and three. Every time we make the sign of the cross, we are not just performing a ritual; we are claiming ourselves, our homes, and our very bodies for the Triune God. Yet, how often do we rush through this profound act, forgetting the depth of what it means to belong to God in this way?

God the Father is the source and origin of all that is. Every prayer, especially in the liturgy, is directed to Him. He is the wellspring of all fatherhood and motherhood, the one who provides, protects, and nurtures us with a love that is both strong and gentle. Everything we have and everything we need comes from His hand. The challenge is to continually return to Him, to trust that He alone is the giver of every good gift, rather than seeking fulfillment in the world around us.

Jesus, the Son, models for us a life wholly directed toward the Father. His obedience is perfect; His will is always aligned with the Father’s. We are called not just to imitate Jesus from a distance, but to allow His very life and virtues to take root in us. As St. Paul says, it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. This requires discernment, prayer, and a willingness to let go of our own plans so that God’s will might be done in and through us.

The Holy Spirit, the love between the Father and the Son, is poured out upon us in every sacrament. The Spirit is our guide, our consoler, and the one who empowers us to pour ourselves out for others. The Spirit’s abundance is beyond our comprehension, and we are invited to respond by giving generously of ourselves, especially to those closest to us.

Ultimately, the image of the Trinity is imprinted on us from baptism and cannot be erased. Our task is to let that image shine forth, so that when others encounter us, they encounter God. This is the radical call of Christianity: to become, by grace, another Christ in the world, so that others may come to know and love the Triune God through us.

Key Takeaways

- The sign of the cross is a profound act of claiming ourselves for the Triune God. It is not a mere gesture, but a declaration that our lives, homes, and bodies belong to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each time we make this sign, we are invited to remember and renew our commitment to live as children of God. [01:27]

- God the Father is the source of all that we are and have, embodying both fatherly protection and motherly care. Trusting in His providence means recognizing that every blessing comes from Him, and resisting the temptation to seek fulfillment elsewhere. Returning to the Father is a daily act of faith and surrender. [03:43]

- Jesus’ life was one of perfect obedience and alignment with the Father’s will. Our calling is not just to imitate His actions, but to allow His life to be lived in us, so that our desires and choices are shaped by His Spirit. This transformation requires ongoing discernment and prayer, as we seek to align our will with God’s. [05:49]

- The Holy Spirit is the love that binds the Father and the Son, and is lavishly poured out upon us in every sacrament. The Spirit empowers us to pour ourselves out for others, challenging us to give beyond what we think is enough. Living in the Spirit means embracing a life of self-giving love, especially within our families and communities. [07:53]

- The image of the Trinity is indelibly imprinted on us from baptism, calling us to reflect God’s presence in the world. Our mission is to let this divine image shine through every aspect of our lives, so that others may encounter God through us. This is the radical vocation of every Christian: to become, by grace, a living sign of the Triune God. [09:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Celebrating the Trinity after Easter
[01:27] - The Sign of the Cross: Claiming Ourselves for God
[02:14] - Praying to the Father through the Son in the Spirit
[03:43] - God the Father: Source of All Blessings
[04:23] - Jesus: Perfect Obedience to the Father
[05:05] - Living as Christ Lives in Us
[05:49] - Aligning Our Will with God’s
[06:22] - The Work of Discernment and Prayer
[07:14] - The Holy Spirit: Love Poured Out
[07:53] - Pouring Ourselves Out in the Spirit
[08:44] - Conforming Our Lives to the Trinity
[09:29] - Becoming a Living Image of God
[10:00] - Final Blessing and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity

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### Bible Reading

1. Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

2. Matthew 28:19
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

3. Romans 8:14-17
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."

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### Observation Questions

1. According to the sermon, what does making the sign of the cross mean for us as Christians? [01:27]
2. How does the sermon describe the unique roles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? [03:43]
3. What does the preacher say about the image of the Trinity being imprinted on us at baptism? [02:14]
4. In Galatians 2:20, what does Paul say about Christ living in us, and how does this connect to the sermon’s message?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God the Father is the source and origin of all that is, and that we are to return to Him for every good gift. What does it look like in daily life to trust God as the source, rather than seeking fulfillment elsewhere? [03:43]
2. The preacher talks about Jesus’ perfect obedience to the Father and says we are called not just to imitate Jesus, but to let His life take root in us. What does it mean for Christ to live in us, rather than us just copying His actions? [05:49]
3. The Holy Spirit is described as the love between the Father and the Son, poured out on us in every sacrament. How does the Spirit empower us to pour ourselves out for others, especially those closest to us? [07:53]
4. The sermon says the image of the Trinity is indelibly imprinted on us from baptism. What are some ways this image might “shine forth” in our lives so that others encounter God through us? [09:29]

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### Application Questions

1. The sign of the cross is described as a declaration that our lives, homes, and bodies belong to the Triune God. How intentional are you when you make the sign of the cross? What could you do to make this act more meaningful in your daily life? [01:27]
2. The sermon challenges us to trust God the Father as the provider of every good gift. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to trust God’s provision? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week? [03:43]
3. Jesus’ life was one of perfect obedience and alignment with the Father’s will. Is there a decision or area in your life where you are following your own will instead of seeking God’s? What step could you take to discern God’s will more clearly? [06:22]
4. The preacher says that Christ wants to live His life through us, not just be imitated by us. Can you think of a recent situation where you acted out of your own strength instead of letting Christ work through you? What might change if you invited Him to take the lead? [05:49]
5. The Holy Spirit empowers us to pour ourselves out for others, especially in our families and communities. Who is someone close to you that you find it hard to serve or love? What is one practical way you could pour yourself out for them this week? [07:53]
6. The sermon says the image of the Trinity is imprinted on us and calls us to reflect God’s presence in the world. What is one area of your life where you want God’s image to shine more brightly? What is a specific action you can take to let others see God through you? [09:29]
7. The preacher mentions that returning to the Father is a daily act of faith and surrender. What is one daily habit you could start or renew to help you return to God the Father each day? [03:43]

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Devotional

Day 1: The Profound Mystery and Daily Reality of the Trinity
The Trinity is not just a theological concept but the living God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—whose image is imprinted on every baptized believer and whose presence we invoke each time we make the sign of the cross. This mystery is beyond full human comprehension, yet it is central to our faith and daily life, inviting us to claim ourselves, our homes, and our very bodies for God. Even when we may not fully understand, we are called to return again and again to the truth that God is one and God is three, allowing this reality to shape our identity and actions. [01:27]

Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Reflection:
When you make the sign of the cross today, pause and intentionally claim yourself for the Triune God—how does this change your awareness of God’s presence in your daily actions?


Day 2: God the Father—Source, Origin, and Loving Provider
God the Father is the source and origin of all that exists, the giver of every blessing, and the one who watches over, guards, and nurtures us with both fatherly and motherly care. Everything we need comes from Him, and we are invited to turn to Him not just for some things, but for everything, trusting in His constant provision and love rather than seeking comfort in the world. [04:23]

James 1:17 (ESV)
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you have been seeking comfort or provision apart from God the Father? How can you intentionally turn to Him for your needs today?


Day 3: Jesus the Son—Perfect Obedience and Living Through Us
Jesus’ entire life was directed toward the Father in perfect obedience, always seeking and doing His Father’s will, and He calls us not just to imitate Him, but to allow His life and virtues to live in us so that we become Christ to the world. It is not merely about copying Jesus’ actions, but about letting Him seize our hearts so that it is truly Christ who lives in us, ordering our lives toward the Father as He did. [05:49]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection:
What is one decision or habit where you tend to follow your own will rather than seeking God’s? How can you invite Jesus to live His life through you in that area today?


Day 4: The Holy Spirit—Love Poured Out and Our Call to Pour Out
The Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son, poured out lavishly upon us in every sacrament, guiding, consoling, and empowering us to pour ourselves out for others in turn. We are called not to hold back, but to continually give of ourselves—especially to our families and those around us—trusting that the Spirit is given to us in abundance beyond what we can fathom. [07:53]

Romans 5:5 (ESV)
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Reflection:
Who is one person in your life who needs to experience God’s love through you today? What is one concrete way you can pour yourself out for them, trusting in the Spirit’s abundance?


Day 5: Becoming the Image of God in the World
We are called to be transformed more and more into the image of the Triune God, so that when others see us, they encounter God’s presence, love, and invitation to lay down their lives for Him. This is the radical call of Christianity: to be “another Christ” in the world, letting the image imprinted on us at baptism shine forth so that others may come to know and love God. [09:29]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection:
What is one way you can let the image of God shine through you in your interactions today, so that others might encounter Christ in you?

Quotes

Every time we make the sign of the cross we claim ourselves, we claim our homes, we claim our very bodies for the sake of Christ, for the sake of God the Trinity. But so often we just kind of quickly, haphazardly do that. But it's quite the sign, quite the symbol to make the sign of the cross and say in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God and three persons, claiming ourselves for God, claiming ourselves for the triune God. [00:00:44]
We have to constantly return to the fact that God is one and God is three. And to really understand that, we will never perfectly do so, ever. And certainly one homily at 7:30 in the morning is not going to do it. But we have the opportunity to understand the Trinity, who God is, just a little further. [00:01:19]
We pray to the Father through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We pray to the Father through his Son Jesus, who is now that bond. We have access to the Father because of Christ Jesus. And we cannot pray on our own power, but we pray in the power of the Holy Spirit that binds us to God. [00:02:05]
This trinity of persons, this God who is really poured out upon us, imprinted on our being at baptism, can never be undone even if, God forbid, we were to somehow say, well, I don't want to claim Christianity or I'm not going to claim Christ, I'm not going to claim God. It doesn't work that way. Whether you like it or not, the image of the Trinity is imprinted on your being forever. [00:02:34]
Our task on earth is to allow that image of the divine God, of the God, that divine image, to shine through us in every aspect. [00:03:03]
Do we pray to God the Father because it's from God the Father that the source and origin of everything comes? He is the source, he is the creator, the origin, the origin of all fatherhood and the origin of all motherhood. It is God the Father who gives us his fatherly care, always watching over, always guarding, always protecting. [00:03:14]
That motherhood that is in God, who nurtures and cares for, gently gives us everything we ever could need. [00:03:43]
Do we have to constantly return to God the Father who gives us everything? Not just some things, but everything. Everything I could ever need is from him. [00:04:14]
Jesus, who came into this earth, came to earth as a baby in a manger. His whole life is completely directed toward God, toward his Father. In perfect obedience, always submitting his will to his father's. [00:04:30]
We'll never read ever in the gospel, or if anyone ever says that somehow Jesus was somehow kind of doing his own thing, or didn't always have his father's will as his main goal, it's a lie. Jesus' whole life is directed toward his father. He's constantly focused on the goal of going up to Jerusalem, which is where his father asks him to go, to lay down his life for you and me. [00:04:49]
If I desire for this God to shine through me, if I desire to live as Jesus lived, it's not simply imitating Jesus. We can imitate a lot of people, and we probably shouldn't. Jesus is worth imitating, but it's much deeper than that. It's allowing the virtues and the life of Jesus to live in us so that he takes hold of us, as St. Paul says. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. [00:05:21]
It's not merely, well, Jesus would have done this. Jesus did a lot of wonderful things. But Jesus wants to seize us and live his life through us. That's what it means to truly allow Christ to dwell in us richly. [00:05:49]
As my life, is my whole life ordered toward following the Father, as Jesus did? Or do I follow my own will? The answer is yes. Mine too. How often do we do it? This is what I want. This is what I think is best right now. Have we asked God? Have we prayed about it? Have we discerned? Have we asked for him to enlighten our hearts and minds to know what he desires? [00:06:05]
Do I take the time, do I spend time in prayer to God as Jesus did? Jesus himself went to pray, to be in communion with his Father. [00:06:42]
The Holy Spirit is that love between the Father and the Son. He proceeds from the Father and the Son. He is love itself, that binding force, the guide, the consoler, the paraclete, who is always with us. [00:06:57]
In every sacrament, the Holy Spirit is poured out lavishly. Every time you see the priest put his hands out, over the gifts at Mass, in the confessional, if you're anointed, you lay my hands on your head. That is invoking the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon you or the gifts of bread and wine. [00:07:14]
Do we pour ourselves out? Because God the Holy Spirit is constantly being poured out so that we might in turn pour ourselves out for those around us, our family. So often we take a step back and say, well, I've given enough. Have you? [00:07:39]
The Holy Spirit is given to us in abundance that we can never even fathom. We have to continually pour ourselves out in the name of the Holy Spirit. [00:08:07]
We can get lost in the theology, and there's so much theology to the Trinity that, again, there's no time for that today. But there is time to learn more about each person of the Trinity, and is my life being conformed to theirs? Or am I asking God that, well, can his will just kind of bend to my will? [00:08:37]
At this Mass, we have to pray that we might be radically changed more and more into the image of God. Because when people can see God, hopefully they see him in us. That's why that image of God is in us at baptism. [00:08:59]
If we are living up to God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, when they see us, they should see God. Which can sound very radical. But that's the point of Christianity, that we might be alter Christus, another Christ, God in the world, so that people can encounter him, come to know him, come to lay down their lives for him, just as we strive to do. [00:09:17]
So at this Mass, we pray for the grace to let that image of the triune God shine forth in us. [00:09:43]

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