The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - Cycle B
June 3, 2012
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Opening Prayer
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 36-40
Psalm: 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22
Second Reading: Romans 8:14-17
Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
- This Sunday the Church celebrates the one of the great truths of our Faith: the mystery of one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The revealed truth of the Holy Trinity is at the very root of the Church's living faith as expressed in the Creed. The mystery of the Trinity in itself is inaccessible to the human mind and is the object of faith only because it was revealed by Jesus Christ, the divine Son of the eternal Father (CCC 232, 237, 249, 253-256).
- Looking at the Old Testament with our knowledge of the New, we can see that the Trinity was foreshadowed, though it was not taught in terms of one God in three Persons. One of the most commonly cited intimations of the doctrine of the Trinity is that God speaks to himself in Genesis by using a plural: "Let us make man in our image," and then we read "in the image of God he created him" (Genesis 1:26–27). The triple cry of the seraphim in Isaiah—"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:3)—is also thought to reflect the Trinity.
- This Sunday’s reading takes place after Jesus’ resurrection appearances of the first week, the last of which was to Thomas and the other Apostles a week after Easter (John 20:26-29).
- Whereas during his earthly ministry Jesus limited his message to Israel (Matthew 10:5-6), he now charges his disciples to make disciples of “all nations” thus fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham that “all nations” would be blessed (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:80).
- Note that in directing them to make disciples of all nations, administer the Sacraments, and to teach (verses 19-20), Jesus instructs them to do so in the “name” (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That one name is what we call the Most Holy Trinity.
QUESTIONS:
- Upon seeing the resurrected Jesus, how do the disciples respond (verse 17)? Why is doubt mingled with their worship? What do they doubt?
- Of the three actions commanded of the disciples by Jesus (verses 19-20), is there one that is central? How are they to make disciples? Of whom? With what resources? To what end?
- How much authority does Jesus have to give to his disciples when they are commissioned? In what ways can you fill this commission in the context of your family? Work? Community?
- What is your experience with evangelizing? What is your attitude toward doing it? What do you think Jesus wants you to do with any fears you may have?
- In what manner is Jesus with the Church always (verse 20; CCC 1374)?
- How do you recognize the on-going presence of Jesus in your life? What do you do to encourage his presence there?
Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 189, 232—267, 1122, 1257
This Trinity is one God from Whom, through Whom, and in Whom all things exist. --St. Augustine