Religious Education and Social Justice

Trinity Sunday

 

Last Sunday 7th June, the Church celebrated Trinity Sunday. Below is a reflection on the Mass readings written by Greg Sunter:

 

The readings selected for Trinity Sunday provide an opportunity to reflect on the nature of God. Over recent weeks, we have celebrated the Ascension and Pentecost – both of which reveal something about the nature of God through Jesus and the Spirit. 

 

Trinity Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate the unity of God whom we acknowledge as Father, Son and Spirit. Today’s gospel reminds us that there is a seamless continuity between the different experiences of God. Although we sometimes regard the God of the Old Testament as judging and vengeful, today reminds us that God is, was, and always will be a God of love. 

 

The gospel reminds us that ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.’ Love is the characteristic of God that is experienced as Father, Son and Spirit. God loved the world into being and loved the people so much that God made a covenant relationship with them and repeatedly drew them back into that relationship when they strayed. God loved the world and the people so much that God became physically present through Jesus as yet another attempt to draw all people into an awareness of the loving relationship God desired for them. When Jesus could no longer remain a physical presence in the world, God’s Spirit became more evident to continue the work of drawing people into that loving relationship with God.

 

Every time we bless ourselves or begin prayer with the sign of the cross, we reaffirm our belief in the Trinity. That seemingly simple prayer, ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,’ is, in fact, a confirmation of our belief in a triune God – three in one. The earliest use of the sign of the cross only involved tracing a small cross with the thumb or finger on the forehead as it is still done in baptisms or blessings today. Later, describing the shape of the cross on forehead, abdomen and shoulders became the common practice.

 

Prayer to the Holy Trinity

Glory be to the Father,

Who by His almighty power 

and love created me, 

making me in the image and likeness of God.

Glory be to the Son,

Who by His Precious Blood delivered me 

from hell,

and opened for me the gates of heaven.

Glory be to the Holy Spirit,

Who has sanctified me in the 

sacrament of Baptism,

and continues to sanctify me

by the graces I receive daily from His bounty.

Glory be to the Three adorable Persons of the Holy Trinity,

now and forever.

Amen.

 Sunday Mass Activities for Children

 

The people of Israel have been through a crisis. They turned away from God and worshiped a Golden Calf. But now they are sorry, and Moses (their leader) goes up the mountain (Mount Sinai) to talk with God and experience God's love.

 

By clicking on the link below you will be taken to the CathFamily website:

 

 

https://cathfamily.org/cathkids-trinity-a/

 

 

Explore the reading by clicking on the following tabs located on the main screen:

  • The Word: video of the reading
  • Look Closer: brief exploration of the reading in child friendly language
  • Ponder: some questions to ponder or wonder about related to the Gospel and our lives
  • Respond: an activity is provided to further give children the opportunity to reflect on the Gospel of the week
  • Pray: a short prayer service for families to participate in.

 

May God bless us all and keep us safe.

 

Jane Wilkinson

Religious Education Leader