This coming Sunday, the first after Pentecost, is always celebrated as Trinity Sunday.
The scriptures for the day and commentary on them along with helps for children you bring to Mass with you can be found here. For some Trinity related art and music, check this earlier post.
As you know, the Trinity is a mystery, revealed by God, but not something we can fully understand. The Catechism of the Catholic Church begins to address the mystery of the Trinity here.
Friends from half way across the country sent me this beautiful orchid as a gift for my ordination anniversary celebration. Its home is in my office at my desk - I wanted to share it here with you.
Thank you M and J!
No matter how high the trees, no matter how close the branches, no matter how dense the foliage, your light shines through, Lord...
No matter how gray the sky, no matter how thick the clouds, no matter how heavy the rains, your light shines through, Lord...
No matter how dark the night, how thin the new moon, no matter how few the stars, your light shines through, Lord...
No matter how heavy my burdens, no matter how bowed my head, no matter how teary my eyes, your light shines through, Lord... Help me find and see, Lord, how your light shines through on me...
Finding decent art for illustrating posts for Trinity Sunday is no easy task. The Rublev icon above is a singular exception. The Trinity is a Christian teaching through which we try to understand the mystery of how there are three persons in one God. Too many artists have tried to explain or even diagram the Trinity. This well known icon simply shows us how the Trinity is a communion of persons. Rublev does not try to solve the mystery, rather his image draws us more deeply into the mystery of who God is.
Have you looked at the scriptures for Trinity Sunday? You'll find them at this earlier post - where you'll also find different artistic renderings of the mystery, including the diagrammatic! And take some time to listen to this beautiful music. (Notes on the lyrics follow the widget.)
Much of the music in the widget above is based on the ancient hymn, O Lux beata Trinita,ascribed to St. Ambrose (340-397) and translated (below) by John Neale (1818-1866).
I
wrote this prayer for use at Memorial Day exercises conducted by the
town I live in and so it's phrased to be as inclusive as possible of all who might be present. On Memorial Day my parish celebrates Mass in
our own cemetery where, of course, our prayer will be offered through,
with and in Christ the Lord. (I'm posting this early for any who might find this helpful in their own ministry on Memorial Day. I'll repost it on the holiday, May 26.)
Memorial Day Prayer
In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts,
let each of us name and call on the One whose power over us
is great and gentle, firm and forgiving, holy and healing:
You who created us,
who sustain us,
who call us to live in peace,
hear our prayer this day.
Hear our prayer for all who have died,
whose hearts and hopes are known to you alone…
Hear our prayer for those who put the welfare of others
ahead of their own
and give us hearts as generous as theirs…
Hear our prayer for those who gave their lives
in the service of others,
and accept the gift of their sacrifice…
Help us to shape and make a world
where we will lay down the arms of war
and turn our swords into ploughshares
for a harvest of justice and peace…
Comfort those who grieve the loss of their loved ones
This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
The Trinity may seem remote and abstract but each Christian baptized
"in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" is claimed for Christ by the Church: our souls branded, indelibly tattooed with the triune life of God. Baptism marks us as daughters and sons of God, sisters and brothers of Christ, drawn by the Spirit to worship the Father of us all.
The Scriptures for Trinity Sunday
You'll find the scriptures for this Sunday and background material on them here. Try following these hints
to help your children prepare to hear the Word at Mass this weekend.
You might be surprised to see the difference it can make when kids have
an idea of what to expect and listen for. It can provide for some good
conversation on the way home from Mass, too.
The first
scripture this weekend is from Proverbs. It's a poem about wisdom helping us to understand that wisdom existed before the world began and
that she finds her delight in the human race.
The second lesson is from Romans and was chosen for this feast because underlying the text is a Trinitarian understanding of redemption. Take a look and and you'll see the Trinitarian template in the passage and how it helps us understand our salvation.
And in the gospel from John, Jesus associates himself with his Father and with the Spirit whose coming he promises.
NOTE: Last Sunday, Pentecost, was the last of the 50 days of the Easter season and on Monday, May 20, we returned to Ordinary Time on the liturgical calendar. Every year, however, the Sundays immediately following Pentecost are celebrated as the Solemnity of theMost Holy Trinity (June 2, 2013) and the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (June 9, 2013).
How loving, how helpful, how kind are the people in my life, Lord...
How beautiful, how different, how amazing: all those whose paths cross mine...
How tender, strong and fragile are we in one another's hands...
How much we need your grace that we might love as you love us... Today's takeaway: Along my path today, may I be as kind to others as I'd have them be to me...
Reach out to the people of Haiti with health care, education and community development through the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation.
Year of Faith
Begun on October 11, 2012 (the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican Council II) the Year of Faith highlights the New Evangelization, reproposing the gospel message to all peoples. Click on the logo above for more information.
The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.
