Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Trinity Sunday: Year B - May 27, 2018.

Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-34; Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:4-6,9,18-20,22; 

Romans 8:14:17; Gospel Matthew 28:16-20.

Theme: Our Union with the Father, the Son and the Spirit

Introduction

Trinity Sunday provides us with one of the reasons why Catholics make the Sign of the Cross. It is not surprising to see altar servers, knights, footballers and even celebrities making the Sign of the Cross which is a trademark of Catholicism. As a spiritual insignia which defines and promotes our faith, the Sign of the Cross opens up reflections about the Blessed Trinity. It is truism that there are three divine persons in one God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It implies one God, three eternal persons which demonstrates that the Father is not the same person as the Son - the Son is not the same person as the Holy Spirit - and the Holy Spirit is not the same person as Father. As it were, each of them has a will and speaks to each other and to people. The use of word “person” implies that each person of the blessed trinity is separate in self awareness, speech, will and expression. We shall take a look at the readings in the light of today’s take-home message. 

Summary of the Liturgical Readings

The first reading (Deuteronomy 4:32-34) presents us with the encounter between Moses and the people of Israel in which he told them in unmistaken terms that: “the Lord is God indeed, in heaven and above as on earth beneath, he and no other.” He maintained that they should keep his laws and commandments so as to enjoy and prosper in the land that the Lord gives to them. The text is indicative of a triune God who reigns “in heaven and above as on earth beneath.”

In the second reading (Romans 8:14:17), St. Paul emphasizes that everyone who is moved by the Spirit is a son of God. He goes further to state that the Spirit that God gives is not a spirit of timidity but that which makes us cry “Abbah Father!” he makes the point that our spirit and that of God works in unison enabling us to bear witness as God’s children. What is more, Apostle Paul reiterates that we are heirs of the Kingdom sharing in his sufferings so as to share in his glory.

The Gospel reading (Matthew 28:16-20) recounts the Great Mission Christ gave his Apostles and how this divine mandate was to be executed in the name of the trinity: “Father, Son and Spirit.”  What is of particular interest is that St. Matthew tells us that Jesus charged them thus: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” The Great Mission had a Trinitarian authority behind it. Besides, the apostles were assured of divine endorsement, divine assistance and the fact that God would be with them until the end of time.  

Pastoral Punch-lines

1. There are Three Divine Persons in One God: The trinity does not constitute three separate gods or separate beings. They are three distinct persons yet, one indivisible God. As such, in taking about the trinity, the words, coeternal, coequal and co-powerful are crucial to the substance of the Godhead. As human beings we are called to a unity of purpose in defending the values of life and human dignity. As a Church such, we are reminded about our universality and our shared-spiritual heritage.

2. God the Father is the Creator of the World: All monotheistic religions teach that God created the universe. The penny catechism teaches that created the world and all it contains. As Creator, it is in him that we live and move and have our being. He is not done with creation as he keeps all things in being. Our faith teaches us that God’s Fatherhood cuts across every tribe, tongue, people and nation. This is an important message for us in a world that is fragmented by racial, religious and ideological divides.

3. God the Son is the Redeemer of the World:  The popular John 3:16 says it all: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Here, we recall three redemptive epochs in human existence – original state of blessedness in the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve enjoyed the bliss of God, fallen humanity when they sinned by eating the forbidden fruit and restored humanity when Jesus came for a rescue mission. We must daily seek to be redeemed and truly so.

4. Trinity Sunday Proclaims God’s Liberating Mission: Trinity Sunday provides us with the example of Jesus whose liberating mission he has left with the Church. We are challenged to appropriate Jesus’ manifesto by keying into the fight for the oppressed, those unjustly detained and others under the yoke of slavery and sin as well as Christians who are persecuted like Leah Sharibu.

5. Today’s Liturgy Celebrates the Hypostatic Union: Since Jesus who is truly God and truly man, as the theology of the hypostatic union teaches, we are left with the legacies of one who was God yet emptied himself to take up the place of a slave. This calls for humility amongst Christians.

6. It Reveals God the Holy Spirit as the Sanctifier of the World: God the Holy Spirit is the paraclet, the consoler and the spirit of promise (Gal. 3:14; Eph. 1:13). It is the Holy Spirit that revives the gifts of healing, miracles, prophesy, recognition of spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues (1st Cor. 12:1-11) in the Church. It is by the same spirit that the Church superintends over ecclesiastical governance as well as administers the sacraments. We can only bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit if we rely on the help of the triune God.

7. The Attempts to Unravel the Mystery of the Trinity: Saint Augustine tried to know the depth of the trinity so he could explain to his congregation. While reflecting on this quandary, he went to the beach and sighted a little boy trying to empty the sea into a small hole he had dug by the side of the shore. Upon telling the boy that it was an exercise in futility, Augustine got the shocker of an answer: “Likewise it is impossible to know the depths of the trinity” and the boy vanished from his sight.

8. It teaches Unity in Diversity: By understanding God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit we are challenged to use Sunday Trinity as a springboard for unity and peace in country Nigeria. A country fragmented by tribal sentiments, we are reminded that God is a Trinity of Persons. As Christians from different backgrounds, our union with the Father, the Son and the Spirit must be supreme.  

Homiletic Points to Remember

1. Trinity Sunday provides us with one of the reasons why Catholics make the Sign of the Cross.

2. A country fragmented by tribal sentiments, we are reminded that God is a Trinity of Persons.

3. The Great Mission had a Trinitarian authority behind it.  

4. We can only bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit if we rely on the help of the triune God

5. By understanding God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit we are challenged to use Sunday Trinity as a springboard for unity and peace in country Nigeria.

6. As Christians from different backgrounds, our union with the Father, the Son and the Spirit must be supreme.

Conclusion

The message of the first reading is that God reveals himself as a triune God. The second reading assures that we are not given a spirit of timidity but that of adoption which enable us to share in Christ’s sufferings so as to share in his glory. The gospel reminds us that we have been given all authority in heaven and on earth to further the kingdom of God through the Great Mission Christ. Despite these attempts at explaining the trinity, the theology of the Blessed Trinity is something we cannot fully comprehend until we go to heaven. What is clear is that our finite nature cannot penetrate the infinite depths of God.

Therefore, I pray that the Trinity helps us in every way so that where there is pain, He may give peace and mercy; where there is doubt, renewed confidence to work; where there is tiredness and exhaustion, understanding, guidance and strength and where there is fear, renewed courage and confidence. May the Blessed Trinity bless your homes, places of work and businesses and enrich your finances. May He bring your ambitions to fulfillment and bless you with vision while raising up leaders and friends who would support and encourage you now and forever, Amen. Happy Trinity Sunday!