Sunday, 26 May 2024. Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40, Ps. 33:4-6,9,18-20,22, Romans 8:14-17, Matthew 28:16-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
Who is God? How can we describe God? What makes God so great, so powerful, so extraordinary? Of course, these are questions that the human mind cannot comprehend. We know that God is much more than we can imagine or understand. Speaking to the Israelites, Moses, in today’s first reading, says: “Did any people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire? ... Know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:33-39). In other words, God is both in heaven and on earth simultaneously, and there is no other. This brings us to our first lesson for today:
1. God is Trinity.
The same one God created the world as Father and, at the same time, came to be born as a man, Jesus Christ, and at the same time, descended from heaven upon the disciples gathered in worship on Pentecost Day. Matthew ends his Gospel with the scene of Jesus’ apparition to his disciples after his resurrection when he told them: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19). This means there is perfect equality in the Trinity. Since we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is the Trinity, we cannot be lone rangers. We need communion with others for our full potential and gifts to be materialised. We must, therefore, avoid selfishness, self-centeredness, individualism, and the me-myself-and-I syndrome.
2. God is Love
When we say God is Love, we mean God is three persons living in one perfect union of Love. The perfect unity in the Trinity is a great lesson in love. Love is the magic that makes living with others possible. Take love away, and everyone becomes an enemy. We begin to fight ourselves, and soon, life becomes unbearable. In today’s first reading, we hear Moses saying: “Keep his statutes and his commandments, which I am commanding you today for your well-being and that of your descendants after you, so that you may long remain in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:40)
A Pharisee asked Jesus to summarise all the commandments of God, and this was His response: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40). In our Gospel passage today, Jesus gives us a divine mandate to go and make disciples of all nations. How can we fulfil this mandate without love in our hearts? We may be eloquent in speech, and we may be able to speak in tongues or work miracles, but if our hearts are lacking in love, we won’t win a single soul. (Cf. 1st Corinthians 13:1-3). Love is the answer. Let each one reach one, and we will soon have heaven down here.
3. God is Family.
At the concluding part of today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says to us: “I am with you always to the close of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). God, who is in heaven above, is always with us at the same time. God is in me and you. He lives in you. He watches over. He is even in your reflection. The Psalmist asks, “Oh, where can I flee from your presence? Even if I climb the highest mountain, you are there, and if I say let the light around me be darkness, you are still there.” (Cf. Psalm 139:7-12). God is Trinity. God is Family. To say God is Father, Son, and Spirit simultaneously is to say that 1. God understands perfectly what it means to be a Father to us, his children, 2. God understands what it means to be a brother to us. 3. God understands the depth of our spirits.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul says that all who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. We are not orphans. We have a Father who is in charge of the universe, and we are co-heirs to Christ. This is why we can say “Abba Father.” This is why we pray with confidence, knowing that whatever we ask, we shall receive; whatever we seek, we shall find; and whatever door we knock, it shall be opened. (Cf. Matthew 7:7-8) What Father is there that would give his children a stone when they ask for bread or give them a snake when they ask for fish? Let us trust God more.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me to love, to live and act according to your will and promptings. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Remember, amid all challenges, choose to be happy. Live with a positive mindset and believe in God’s plan for you. God bless you abundantly. (The Most Holy Trinity - Solemnity. Bible Study: Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40, Ps. 33:4-6,9,18-20,22, Romans 8:14-17, Matthew 28:16-20).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
Who is God? How can we describe God? What makes God so great, so powerful, so extraordinary? Of course, these are questions that the human mind cannot comprehend. We know that God is much more than we can imagine or understand. Speaking to the Israelites, Moses, in today’s first reading, says: “Did any people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire? ... Know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:33-39). In other words, God is both in heaven and on earth simultaneously, and there is no other. This brings us to our first lesson for today:
1. God is Trinity.
The same one God created the world as Father and, at the same time, came to be born as a man, Jesus Christ, and at the same time, descended from heaven upon the disciples gathered in worship on Pentecost Day. Matthew ends his Gospel with the scene of Jesus’ apparition to his disciples after his resurrection when he told them: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19). This means there is perfect equality in the Trinity. Since we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is the Trinity, we cannot be lone rangers. We need communion with others for our full potential and gifts to be materialised. We must, therefore, avoid selfishness, self-centeredness, individualism, and the me-myself-and-I syndrome.
2. God is Love
When we say God is Love, we mean God is three persons living in one perfect union of Love. The perfect unity in the Trinity is a great lesson in love. Love is the magic that makes living with others possible. Take love away, and everyone becomes an enemy. We begin to fight ourselves, and soon, life becomes unbearable. In today’s first reading, we hear Moses saying: “Keep his statutes and his commandments, which I am commanding you today for your well-being and that of your descendants after you, so that you may long remain in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:40)
A Pharisee asked Jesus to summarise all the commandments of God, and this was His response: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40). In our Gospel passage today, Jesus gives us a divine mandate to go and make disciples of all nations. How can we fulfil this mandate without love in our hearts? We may be eloquent in speech, and we may be able to speak in tongues or work miracles, but if our hearts are lacking in love, we won’t win a single soul. (Cf. 1st Corinthians 13:1-3). Love is the answer. Let each one reach one, and we will soon have heaven down here.
3. God is Family.
At the concluding part of today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says to us: “I am with you always to the close of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). God, who is in heaven above, is always with us at the same time. God is in me and you. He lives in you. He watches over. He is even in your reflection. The Psalmist asks, “Oh, where can I flee from your presence? Even if I climb the highest mountain, you are there, and if I say let the light around me be darkness, you are still there.” (Cf. Psalm 139:7-12). God is Trinity. God is Family. To say God is Father, Son, and Spirit simultaneously is to say that 1. God understands perfectly what it means to be a Father to us, his children, 2. God understands what it means to be a brother to us. 3. God understands the depth of our spirits.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul says that all who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. We are not orphans. We have a Father who is in charge of the universe, and we are co-heirs to Christ. This is why we can say “Abba Father.” This is why we pray with confidence, knowing that whatever we ask, we shall receive; whatever we seek, we shall find; and whatever door we knock, it shall be opened. (Cf. Matthew 7:7-8) What Father is there that would give his children a stone when they ask for bread or give them a snake when they ask for fish? Let us trust God more.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me to love, to live and act according to your will and promptings. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Remember, amid all challenges, choose to be happy. Live with a positive mindset and believe in God’s plan for you. God bless you abundantly. (The Most Holy Trinity - Solemnity. Bible Study: Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40, Ps. 33:4-6,9,18-20,22, Romans 8:14-17, Matthew 28:16-20).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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