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The gesture of the Sign of the Cross, an outward profession of faith, and the words  “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen” identifies Catholics worldwide. From childhood, we are reminded of the significance of the words, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the Most Holy Trinity.” It is also the principle mystery of the Catholic faith – the love of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is not solitude, but perfect communion.

On Trinity Sunday, rather than try to ‘solve’ the mystery, let us ask how open we are to it:  the mystery of God loving us, desiring to be part of our lives, to live in our hearts, to be one with us; the mystery of God inviting us to share in the life of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Our God has three persons, three roles pointing to three separate sources of action. We see God as FATHER, a loving and compassionate Father – not a daunting, patriarchal figure but one easily approached and He is the Creator and Giver of all life. He is the One who cares, the Father of truth, the Father of love and compassion, the Father of justice.

We see God as SON, who in an extraordinary way came to live among us. In the Son as a human being, we can see, hear and touch God. We see something of the nature of our God as Jesus heals the sick, identifies with weak and socializes with the sinful. We see Him challenge the dehumanizing values that form the fabric of most of our lives and we learn many valuable ‘lessons’ from this Jesus.

We see God as SPIRIT becoming as it were the soul of His people.  All the good we do, all our work; our acts of love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness; our works of social development and social welfare; our care of the sick, the weak – all are the work of God’s Spirit working in and through us. Wherever there is love, there is the Spirit of God at work.

As a human each of us is made up of body, mind and spirit – three forms in one being. Three can be one and at the same time one can be three. Let us continue to reflect on our experience of God, continue to trust in the goodness and love of God our Father, our Creator. Continue to believe in Christ, the Son of God, our Brother, Reconciler, Redeemer. Continue to have hearts open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, our Guide who leads us to the knowledge of the truth to a deeper understanding of God, of ourselves and to a more intimate relationship and communion with God.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Think of these words the next time you make the sign of the Cross or see it manifested by others – this tribute to the Most Holy Trinity that we are celebrating today.

Cathy Keirstead