Weekly Gospel Reflection

This week, the Church calls us to reflect on the Most Holy Trinity - God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: three separate entities yet still one. While it is common for Christians to make the sign of the cross or speak with ease about the Holy Trinity, the concept of a 'Trinitarian God' is difficult to grasp. Many analogies have been provided to explain the Trinity, but each falls short.

One analogy likens the Trinity to water, steam, and ice. While all three are of the same substance, this analogy fails to recognize that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are still three distinct persons. 

St. Patrick created the analogy of the three-leaf clover (shamrock). This example is better in showing three separate entities that are part of the same whole. However, it can still be misleading, saying that each part is one-third and appears to be the same. It can give the impression that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three Gods rather than three parts of the one God.

Another analogy compares the Father to the sun. From him we have the Son as the light radiating from it, and the Holy Spirit as the warmth that comes from it. This analogy shows the Father as the source that created Jesus and radiates the Holy Spirit. 

Each of them try to explain something that is very complicated, but fall short in different ways. Perhaps we need to acknowledge that the Trinity is a concept we will never fully understand ....  and that's okay! 

However, there are some takeaways from the Trinity that we can apply to our lives. Firstly, we can understand that God is by definition about relationships - all three parts of the trinity are connected and support each other. This challenges us to examine our own relationships with others and consider our connections with family and community.

Secondly, we can learn from the Trinity that each part, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is unique in their own ways. Therefore, we should embrace diversity around us, not merely accepting differences but truly embracing them. This includes appreciating the creative ideas that often come from neurodiverse individuals or gaining new perspectives through different cultural lenses.

Overall, this week focus on strengthening your relationships with others. You might catch up with a friend you haven't seen for a while, think about if you are somone who supports others or are maybe someone who always asks from others, and maybe you could take some time this week to think of your own analogy for the Holy Trinity! 

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

St John Vianney, 

Pray for us