Trinity Sunday | Sunday Reflection

During the ordinary time of the Church’s calendar, we are often given a sense of the person of God the Father, who is the Creator of heaven and earth, who provides for his children, and who is Mercy itself. We reflect on these in the readings we hear at Mass, like Jesus teaching his disciples to call God in heaven Father in Matthew 6:9–13, the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15: 11–32, and many more. Then during Advent through Christmas, and Lent through Easter, we see the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, who is our Savior and Redeemer, and through whom we are made partakers in God’s beautiful creation.

Last Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday, the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and the Giver of life to all of God’s creation. Through all these liturgical times, the Church prepares us for today, the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, so that having followed the Scripture readings at Mass, we are taught that “the whole divine economy is the common work of the three divine persons…. However, each divine person performs the common work according to his unique personal property” (CCC 258). From this understanding and by the help of the grace of God moving our intellect and will, we are able to confess one God and Father from whom all things are, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and one Holy Spirit in whom all things are – three Persons but one God, a Trinity of one substance and equal in majesty.

In today’s Gospel passage, we hear Jesus say that “Everything that the Father has is mine…he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” There is this story about a young boy who believes that he is a co-owner of his father’s car. When he had just gotten his driving permit, he went to his father and requested that they discuss about using the car now he has a driving permit. His father said “I will make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your bible a little and get your haircut. If you do these then come let us talk about using the car.” After about a month, the boy came back and reminded his father if they could now have the discussion about the car. His father said, “Son, I have been very proud of you. You have brought up your grades, you have studied your bible diligently, but you did not get your haircut. Why?” The young boy waited for a moment and answered, “Actually Dad, I have been thinking about that. You know, according to the bible, Sampson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair too!” to which his father replied, “Yes, you are right, they do, but did you notice that they also walked everywhere they went?”

Today is Father’s Day and we celebrate all our fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, uncles and all those who are in one way or the other a father-figure to us. St. Therese of Lisieux told the story about the influence her father had on her life as role model and hero. She used to ask an innocent question to her friends: Have you ever seen a saint praying? and she would add, If you have not, come to my house in the evening, you will see my father on his knees in his room with outstretched arms, praying for us, his children, every day.

Yes, the role of being a father today is very challenging so that most times, fathers worry that they will not be good fathers to their kids. As a son myself, I can tell you fathers that, it is in your struggles as a father or trying to be one that you become authentic to you children. Kids like to see their dads as superheroes, believing that nothing can harm them when they are with dad. He is the strongest man ever, so kids become afraid and marvel when they see their dads emotional and “weak” and broken. It is then that the kids come to realize that their father actually is a human being and so he deserves to be loved and cared for and respected.

Fathers might think that it is not ok to show those “weak sides” of them but even St. Paul in the second reading of today says that we “even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us.” Hoping in God in all faithfulness is what makes a “perfect dad.” It is what every father should practice and introduce in his family.

I read about General Douglas MacArthur, a great American and commander in the US Army. Speaking about being a father he said: “by profession I am a soldier, and I take pride in that fact, but I am prouder, infinitely prouder to be a father.” He continues, “it is my hope, that my son, when I am gone will remember me not from battles fought, but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name….’”

Today among other days, we in a special way implore the intercession of St. Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus, who is the perfect role model for all fathers to pray for our fathers especially, those who are finding it difficult to exercise their roles as fathers, who are struggling with issues in their lives, those who are sick and homebound and those who are far from home on this Father’s Day weekend.

Happy Trinity Sunday and Happy Father’s Day to you all!