From The Deacon’s Desk for June 12, 2022

Dear Friends:

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. It is the celebration of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit being one person. This is a very difficult concept for us to understand and one of the greatest mysteries of our faith. How can there be three persons in one? The concept of Father and Holy Spirit is mentioned throughout the Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments. However, the concept of three persons in one does not become popular until sometime around the third century. If you grapple with trying to understand what this all means, you are not alone!

Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, had an interesting way of trying to help people understand what is meant by three persons in one. He took a shamrock and showed it to the people. He explained that a shamrock would not be a shamrock if it only had two leaves instead of three. It seems rather simple for such a challenging concept; however, it does make sense.

When God the Father created the earth at the beginning of time, the Son and Holy Spirit were with him. When Jesus dies on the cross, God the Father and Holy Spirit were with him. When the Holy Spirit comes to us through Baptism and Confirmation, God the Father and the Son Jesus are with the Holy Spirit too!

We are taught from the very beginning that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in one person. If you have a hard time understanding this, please do not be troubled. I don’t think any of us will truly understand it until the day we enter heaven and the Trinity explains itself to us. That will be a great day, not only for us but for our loving Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

May God bless you in a special way on this special Feast!

Peace and All Good!
Deacon Jim