Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • May 24, 2024 5 Compassionate Service 228-374-5650 Bradfordokeefe.com Opening Remark -- Image: Holy Trinity: One God in Three Persons. Three Persons in one God. It is one of the more difficult doctrinal concepts to wrap our minds around and quite challenging to preach. Gus Lloyd, popular Catholic radio talk show host commented that priests, when preparing preaching schedules, usually assign the deacon to preach on Trinity Sunday. Of course, he said this tongue in cheek -- hmm? Creative preachers have used visual aids to convey an understanding of the Trinity. A triangle (equal on three sides), properties of water: ice, steam, and water, the Shamrock, a three-leaf clover. Today’s readings, however, aim for our hearts instead of our minds. Mystery: In our first reading, Moses declares, “Fix in your heart that the Lord is God…” imploring his people to embrace the God who defeated their enemies in battle. Despite their rebellion toward Him, God speaks mercy, forgiveness, and covenant love to them. God is not distant or aloof but one who has intimately acted powerfully on their behalf. God: Father, Son, and Spirit always present, including in our more challenging moments. Every Present God: The Psalmist writes, “The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, those who hope for his kindness…Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help.” God is our refuge and our strength, an ever- present help in times of trouble -- (Psalm 46:2). Pause and recall those times God has intervened in your life with blessings in a time of need. Children of God: In Romans, Paul proclaims, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.” As God’s children and heirs, we can have an intimate personal relationship with God, who is always close and available and wants to hear and answer our prayers. We are privileged members of God’s family and can see and feel His activity in our lives if we make the effort. I recommend an ancient spiritual exercise popular today. Search “Ignatian Examen” for a method that suits your schedule. Rejoice and Act: Today’s Gospel records Jesus’final instructions to His apostles. First, Jesus orders them to come to the mountain in Galilee. Major events in Scripture occur on mountains (transfiguration, ten commandments, add yours). So, when the apostles saw the risen Christ, they worshipped him. Finally, they are fully conscious of what they felt in their hearts and confessed with their lips; that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, Second Person of the Trinity. Some of us have been Catholic for many years yet still treat Jesus as no more than a great prophet. Jesus acknowledges their proper attitude of worship by addressing them with the majesty appropriate to God, “All power on heaven and earth has been given to me.” Second, Jesus proclaims their mission, “Go, therefore (because you believe and are fully convinced that I am God) and make disciples of all nations.” They can make disciples because they are disciples. It would be worthless to give such a command to those who had not first believed, trusted, or committed to the mission of making disciples. Jesus’ commission is to you and I and all the Baptized. To become intentional disciples with a mission to make disciples, reminding us that the Sacrament of Baptism is the clearest expression of the Church’s belief in the Trinity. Respond and Act: In 1966, 78% of Catholics in larger Dioceses, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc., attended Mass weekly. Today, in these and other major cities, just 24% of Catholics attend Mass weekly. You and I cannot give what we do not have. Without attending Mass, at least weekly, receiving the Eucharist, immersing in the Scriptures, and practicing our faith through frequent reception of the sacraments and service to others, we lack the zeal, enthusiasm, commitment, and personal relationship needed to carry out our intended mission. If you invented some wonderful gadget and needed to hire a salesperson to promote and sell it, you would not select someone ignorant of its benefits, who had no interest in talking about it, and perhaps who might speak detrimentally about it. You would choose someone who spoke with faith, fire, excitement, and enthusiasm, who owns and uses the product, and can personally demonstrate its value. Jesus has the power and gives power to his most committed disciples for the task at hand. Such power cannot fail. It is backed by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling seal of approval. We all know someone who would benefit by diligent practice of the Catholic faith. Invite someone to OCIA and Mass and accompany them there. Closing Remarks: The Holy Trinity is both mystery and majesty. It does not need to be solved but to be embraced. We can imitate God’s close personal relationship with Adam and Eve before the fall and with Abraham and many of the patriarchs and prophets. Imitate Jesus’s close personal relationship with His Apostles and all who believed in faith that He was the Messiah. Imitate Peter and the Apostle’s close personal relationship with the Holy Spirit as recorded in the Book of Acts. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, each of us received that same Holy Spirit, empowering our good deeds. In today’s Gospel, Jesus said, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Will you wonder and ponder the mystery of the Trinity or accept the invitation to experience God in a dynamic way? “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Amen! Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 Responsorial Psalm: 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22 2nd Reading: Romans 8:14-17 Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20 Most Holy Trinity Sunday Mystery or majesty? Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries To advertise in the Gulf Pine Catholic , call 228-702-2109 for more information, or email smccusker@biloxidiocese.org . The newspaper is mailed to over 15,500 Catholic homes every other week.