To understand sublime truths we must
make use of comparisons or analogies. Still these analogies or comparisons fall
far short of the reality. Why? God who
is infinite, eternal, way beyond the comprehension of the human intellect can never
be fully captured and comprehended by the limited human person. Still, we must call to mind the words of St. Anselm:
“Faith seeks understanding.” Therefore,
below are a few simple analogies that could shed a little but of light on the sublime mystery
of the Blessed Trinity—our belief in One God in three separate Persons: the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
1.
ST. PATRICK AND THE THREE LEAF
CLOVER. The great English missionary to
Ireland was moved to explain the Most Blessed Trinity by means of the “Three
leaf clover”. This clover is indeed
one, but it has three separate clovers.
Likewise, our God is one, but there are three separate Persons—the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
2.
H20.
The Chemical composition of water is H20. However, when exposed to
different weather conditions these chemical combinations can be transformed in
structure. At room temperature, we have
water. When heated to a boiling point, we have steam. Then when this chemical arrangement is
exposed to freezing weather, then the transformation is into ice. The same chemical composition but three different
manifestations. Our God is one in nature, but three distinct Persons!
3.
THREE MATCHES UNITED AND LIT! Try this one!
Put three match heads together. Then light them and unite the three match
heads. What does this amount to? There are three separate matches, but there is
only one flame. So in the Trinity we believe in one God but three separate
Persons—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
4.
EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE. Imagine the existence of
one triangle that is equilateral. There is one triangle, but there are three
equal angles.
5.
My name: Claude Edward Broom III. My grandfather’s name Claude E. Broom, Sr.,
father, Claude E. Broom, Jr. my name Claude E. Broom, III. We all have the same
last name but we are three separate persons! Quite unique!
SOME REMINDERS OF THE TRINITY: SIGN
OF CROSS
The sign of the cross calls to mind
two fundamental truths of great value: the Mystery of the Holy Trinity as well
as the manifestation of Jesus’ great love for all of humanity and each and
every one of individually by dying on the cross for us.
1.
UPON WAKING. We should make the sign of the cross and call
to mind that through Baptism we were transformed into living temples of the
Blessed Trinity and redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the
sins of the world.
2.
HOLY MASS. Pay attention to the various times that the
Blessed Trinity is referred to every time that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
is being celebrated. Incidentally, the
end or purpose of Holy Mass is Trinitarian.
Jesus, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, is being offered as
sacrifice, victim, unbloody holocaust to
God the Father for the salvation of the world and through the power of
the Holy Spirit.
3.
VARIOUS PARTS OF THE MASS. The Mass starts with the priest signing
himself with the sign of the cross and calling to mind the Trinity. Among the various greetings, the Pauline
(Taken from one of the letters of St. Paul) is Trinitarian: “The grace of Our
Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with you.” The DOXOLOGY is a Trinitarian
Eucharistic praise, which the priest can say or sing: “Through Him, with Him and in Him, in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours Almighty Father forever
and ever. Amen”
4.
CONCLUSION AND DISMISSAL. The Mass concludes sending the faithful to
be missionaries in the world with the Trinitarian blessing: “May Almighty God
bless you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen”. Go in peace!
5.
HOLY WATER: BAPTISM AND TRINITY. Upon
entering church we should approach the baptismal font with reverential respect
and gently take some of the holy water on our fingers and make the sign of the
cross. This should call to mind the day of our own Baptism. (By the way we
should all know the date of our own baptism). With this we should also call to
mind the reality of the Trinity entering into our lives, our souls and minds
and hearts--- God is all in all! An attitude of gratitude should be our hymn of
praise for our Baptism.
6.
HOLY WATER AT HOME. Furthermore, it is a pious and laudable
tradition to always have in our homes a bottle of Holy Water. Better yet, why not have in every bedroom a
small bottle of holy water.
7.
IN TEMPTATION. In temptation, when the devil is assaulting
us, we should have quick recourse to the Holy Names of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
but also to bless ourselves with Holy water in the name of the blessed
Trinity. Say this prayer: “Evil spirits,
I command you in the Name of the Blessed Trinity, the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit to flee from me and this home. Amen
8.
PARENTS: THE FATHERS. We call the priest “Father” because he is
our spiritual father. However, the father is called to be the priest of the
family. One of the principal tasks of the priest is to bless in the name of the
Holy Trinity. The father of the family—the priest of the family—can and should
bless his family members and if possible every night after he finishes praying
prayers with his family members. He
should bless them with holy water in the name of the Trinity.
9.
SPONTANEOUS PRAYER. At any time during the
course of the day, what a beautiful habit it is to simply enter within the
depths of our souls and tell the
Trinity—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that we love them, want
to love them more and want to praise them forever in heaven.
10. MARY AND THE
TRINITY. The Blessed Virgin Mary has a
very special place in the heart of the most Blessed Trinity. Mary is the
daughter of God the Father; she is the mother of God the Son and Mary is the
mystical spouse of God the Holy Spirit. Why not beg Mary for a deeper and
constant union with the Blessed Trinity!
