Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Christianity. Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. On Trinity Sunday, we ponder with joy and thanksgiving what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have done to accomplish the salvation of sinful humanity. It is brought to remembrance how Christians should respond to the love God has shown us, praising Him and giving Him glory.
In Year A the first reading is from the book of Exodus (34:4-6, 8-9). In it we hear how Moses stood on Mount Sinai as the Lord passed by him and proclaimed “Lord, Lord, a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness.” In the second reading from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians (13:11-13) we hear Paul blessing the community “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” In the Gospel from John (3:16-18) we hear Jesus’ words to Nicodemus “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.”
In Year B the first reading is from the book of Deuteronomy (4:32-34, 39-40). In it Moses addresses the people: “Understand this today and take it to heart: The Lord is God indeed, in heaven above and in earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you forever.” In the second reading from the letter to the Romans (8:14-17) Paul tells us “Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God…The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God.” In the Gospel from Matthew (28:16-20) we hear Jesus’ command to his disciples “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
In Year C the first reading is from the book of Proverbs (8:22-31). In it we hear “The Wisdom of God cries aloud, The Lord created me when his purpose first unfolded, before the oldest of his works…when he laid down the foundations of the earth, I was by his side, a master craftsman, delighting him day after day.” In the second reading from the letter to the Romans (5:1-5) we are reminded that “Through our Lord Jesus Christ, by faith we are judged righteous and at peace with God, since it is by faith and through Jesus that we have entered this state of grace in which we can boast of looking forward to God’s glory.” In the Gospel from John (16:12-15) we hear Jesus’ words “when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth”.