Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Reflection on the Gospel

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

For this celebration of the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, I would like to share with you the doxology that my congregation prays at the closing of our varied gatherings together. It is a prayer that not only draws us closer to the Trinity itself, but also reminds us to take active measures in matters of justice, peace and integrity of creation. For this celebration of the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, I would like to share with you the doxology that my congregation prays at the closing of our varied gatherings together. It is a prayer that not only draws us closer to the Trinity itself, but also reminds us to take active measures in matters of justice, peace and integrity of creation.

BLESSED BE GOD THE FATHER, WHO HAS CREATED US. God so loved us! The first line of this doxology prayer reminds us how much God loves us – God loved us into being. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that God created the world through his Wisdom and Love – it was not by fate or chance. God wants all creation to share in God’s being, wisdom and goodness (CCC #295). As the Holy Trinity itself reveals, God is always in relationship. Thus, we too are always in relationship with God and with the goodness of the earth which was given to us to care for. We show our love for God by doing all that we can to make our earthly home a beautiful, clean and safe place to live in God’s grace. Let us never cease to educate ourselves and others on how to be more and more aware of how to show our  love of God through our love of our earth.

BLESSED BE GOD THE SON, WHO HAS REDEEMED US. Imagine God loving us so much and then seeing us pull farther and farther away from that love. Yet, that is what happens. It’s what we encounter in the stories of Scripture and in our own lives. For this reason, God goes even deeper into love – and sends the only Son to redeem us. This is the Good News! The Son was sent to redeem us, so that we might receive adoption as God’s sons and daughters. As sons and daughters, we are also brothers and sisters to one another. Sadly, however, these special relationships we a part of are not evident when we do not love one another. It seems to be forgotten when we discriminate against people of color, against those fleeing violence and poverty and against those who are simply different from ourselves. In these actions, we again pull farther and farther away from God, who is love. Fortunately, God redeemed us once and for all and calls us to redeem our relationships with one another as well.

BLESSED BE GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO SANCTIFIES US. In the days leading up to the Ascension and Pentecost – we heard Jesus telling the disciples that he would send the Advocate – the Holy Spirit – when he left this earth. Because we sin and are sinners, the communion of the Holy Spirit in the Church restores to the baptized the divine likeness lost through sin (CCC #734). The Holy Spirit brings us back into Communion with God and allows us to bear much fruit by granting us strength and wisdom – and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In this way, we can truly be His disciples. Therefore, it is our work also to bring our brothers and sisters back into communion with one another. We can do this through building bridges, working for peace and advocating for restorative justice – all towards rebuilding love and human dignity for all God’s children.

BLESSED BE THE HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY, NOW AND FOREVER, AMEN!

Br. John Skrodinsky, ST is the Director of the Pre-Novitiate formation house of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, which is based in Riverside, CA. He is also Associate Vocation Director for the US and Puerto Rico.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.