Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.

My Dear Parishioners,

With the leave-taking of Easter we re-enter Ordinary Time to commemorate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. This Sunday’s commemoration, as well as next Sunday’s, is a celebration of Christian theology. Today we ponder the very being of God, our God who has revealed Himself in Three Divine Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God is a community of Persons who invites us into this relationship so that we may have a share in His divine life. Those who long for God by living a virtuous life will ultimately experience this union in eternal life. However, even now we can experience union with God, in a different way, through the Eucharist. Every time we participate in the celebration and reception of the Holy Eucharist we enter into the very life of God. We become united with Him and are changed by Him. The Eucharist is the “doorway” by which we enter into the heavenly while still on earth.

Throughout Christian history there have emerged many signs and symbols which try to depict the Most Holy Trinity. We all are aware of the shamrock which Saint Patrick used as a catechetical tool to speak on the Trinity in his evangelization of the Irish people. We know of the triangle which is a symbol of the Trinity, one unit with three sides or angles.
In my opinion the one which is the most beautiful is the “Icon of the Hospitality of Abraham and Sarah” which was painted by the Russian Orthodox cleric, Andrew Rublev. The icon recalls the visit of the three heavenly visitors to Abraham and Sarah as recorded in the Book of Genesis, chapter 18. The icon shows the three heavenly visitors seated at table. On the table is bread and one of the “angels” is pointing to the opening in the table in a gesture of invitation (God the Son). One angel extends his hand in blessing the bread (God the Holy Spirit). Two angels look toward the one angel (God the Father) as in love or reverence. This is an icon of the Most Holy Trinity. We see God and the invitation which God offers to us to enter into union with Him and it is in the table fellowship which is the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Union with God is our goal; it is what will happen at the end of our life for the one who loves God. Our participation in the Sunday Eucharist is a sign right now that we long for this union. The Eucharist is a foretaste of the life to come. So how can attendance at Sunday Mass be optional? It’s only optional for the one who has no faith, no hope and no love for the God who has saved us in Jesus His Only Begotten Son!

Please join me in next Sunday’s public demonstration of our faith in Jesus hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Our outdoor procession with the Eucharist will take place beginning at 1:30 in Saint Cecilia Church.

God bless you!
Father Zig