The Most Holy Trinity

Cycle B

Homily on May 26, 2024

Dt 4:32–34, 39–40; Psalm 33; Rom 8:14–17; Mt 28:16–20

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations

Evagrius of Pontus, a Greek monk of the fourth century who came from what is now Turkey in Asia and later lived out his vocation in Egypt, once said, "God cannot be grasped by the mind." "If God could be grasped, he would not be God." Indeed, the most holy trinity is a mystery, which is why it is easier to approach it by experience rather than reason.

The trinity has cared for us since the beginning of time, and this mystery involving one God can be manifested through three people. We have had encounters with God at various points in our lives, and the liturgy today demonstrates how our forefathers discovered God's manifestation, that is, how God manifested for our salvation.

The Israelites saw God as a father who cared for and protected them from adversity. They recognized that God, the Father, created the universe and chose them from among all nations. God revealed them the right road, the genuine law, so that they could achieve fulfillment. The Lord spoke to his beloved people and promised them prosperity and a long life in the country he was giving them forever. Of course, our forebears felt loved by the Father and accepted his law as a life compromise.

However, when the people distorted the law and their relationship with the Father, God desired to appear in another way. The father did not want to abandon us since blood is thicker than water, so he sent his son Jesus to save everyone. He taught true love and saved us on the cross. Following the resurrection, the eleven disciples went to the mountain to meet with the Lord; and on the top of the mountain (where God reveals significant things to humans), Jesus reminded them, "All power in heaven and on earth has given to me." It signifies that God has already told them about overcoming death, and Jesus has shown them God's love, a human God who understands humans.

The human experience is one of weakness and falls. Only eleven people went to meet Jesus, and "they all saw him, worshiped, but they doubted." Our human experience is not so different from the disciples' experience; it means that God has appeared before us countless times, but we do not understand and disbelieve. Sometimes this love from the Father and the Son reveals itself in us, but we reject it or simply do not recognize it when it appears through anyone else. Also, we are so caught up in the world that we are unable to identify love; our minds are preoccupied with other things.

Despite our reservations, Jesus delegated his power to the disciples and commanded us to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations." Only a human God can delegate such a responsibility to a weak human. In Jesus, we find a brother who teaches us the right road, gives meaning to our existence, and believes in us for a purpose. But we cannot be lonely because God supports us with the Holy Spirit, an effusion of love that has poured from the Father and the Son since our baptism. In difficult times of doubt and chaos, we should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The trinity's love manifests itself in various ways, but it all comes from the same God. Once we receive the Holy Spirit, we can assume this love; we are no longer slaves to any authority in the world because we comprehend that "we are children of God". The trinity is present in our daily lives. Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit to understand God's mission for us. As Jesus instructed his disciples, we should go to all nations and teach them to obey all that He has commanded us.

"Did anything so great ever happen before?" May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you constantly.