Reflections on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Sunday reflection by Very Reverend Stephen E. Salocks, Rector of Saint John's Seminary - June 7, 2020

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life." Jn 3:16

This Sunday, as the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we are presented with a very familiar and famous passage from the Gospel of John (3:16). God, who is love itself, sent his only Son into the world to physically reveal his love to us. When we reflect on the Holy Trinity, we realize that we can never fully comprehend this eternal mystery. Our celebration today, however, acknowledges our commitment not only to embrace this central mystery of our Christian faith but also to imitate the actions of our loving God in gratitude for all that God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – has done for our salvation.

As we move from the Easter Season to Ordinary Time, our world seems to be anything but ordinary. In many parts of our country, the love of God seems to be very elusive, and, at times, the love of neighbor is completely absent. As our communities struggle with issues of division, we want to remain focused on what unites us as Catholic Christians: the eternal love of God for all of us, his human creatures, who are formed in his image and likeness. Being created in the image of God, who is love and the perfect relationship of Persons, means that we are created for love and for relationship. Today, this knowledge compels us to strive for a closer relationship with all around us. “We need to take care of each other.”

The eternal and life-giving light of Christ inspires us to rise above darkness and division, prejudice and hatred. We know that this light is stronger than all the hate in the world, and we must all strive to reflect Christ’s light in our love of neighbor. We particularly pray this weekend for all those affected by violence across our country and ask God to provide the strength to live lives of truth and justice as his adopted sons and daughters.