Holy Trinity A

Welcome to our Bible StudyWelcome to our Bible Study
11 June 201711 June 2017
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity ASolemnity of the Most Holy Trinity A
In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharingAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst
reading: Exodus 34,4b-6.8-9reading: Exodus 34,4b-6.8-9
 4 Early the next morning, Moses went up Mount
Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking
along the two stone tablets. 5 Having come
down in a cloud, the LORD stood with him there
and proclaimed his name, "LORD." 6 Thus the
LORD passed before him and cried out, "The
LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” 8
Moses at once bowed down to the ground in
worship. 9 Then he said, "If I find favor with you,
O Lord, do come along in our company. This is
indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our
wickedness and sins, and receive us as your
own."
The focus is on God the Father.

11stst
Moses
 4 Early the next morning, Moses went up Mount Sinai as
the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two
stone tablets.
The Lord
 5 Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with
him there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." 6 Thus the
LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the
LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and
rich in kindness and fidelity.”
Moses
 8 Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.
9 Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come
along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked
people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive
us as your own."
A simple outline!

11stst
Moses
 4 Early the next morning, Moses
went up Mount Sinai as the LORD
had commanded him, taking along
the two stone tablets.
The Lord
 5 Having come down in a cloud, the
LORD stood with him there and
proclaimed his name, "LORD." 6
Thus the LORD passed before him
and cried out, "The LORD, the
LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness
and fidelity.”
Moses
 8 Moses at once bowed down to the
ground in worship. 9 Then he said,
"If I find favor with you, O Lord, do
come along in our company. This is
indeed a stiff-necked people; yet
pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own."
Commentary
 In v.4, Moses obeys God and he
goes up to the mountain to meet
him.
 In v.5, God comes down, stands
with Moses and proclaims his
name, “Lord.”
 In v.6, the Lord declares himself to
be a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness
and fidelity.
 In v.8, Moses acknowledges God
by showing a sign of reverence.
 In v.9, Moses asks a favor from
God. He invites him to go to his
people (though stiff-necked) and to
pardon their sins and to receive
them as his own.
 Here, Moses intercedes for his
people.

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst
readingreading
 God is forgiving to his wayward people.
 Though he can be turned off, like a human being, by the
unbecoming behavior of his chosen people, God can still
be patient and understanding.
 The text is an invitation to all of us, sinners, to go back to
him.
 No one should be afraid to turn back to him.
 God is merciful.

Resp. Ps. Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56Resp. Ps. Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
 R. (52b)R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!Glory and praise for ever!
 52 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,52 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
53 And blessed is your holy and glorious name,53 And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
 54 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,54 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
 55 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,55 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
 56 Blessed are you who look into the depths56 Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Resp. Ps. Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56Resp. Ps. Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
 R. (52b)R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!Glory and praise for ever!
 52 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of52 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of
our fathers,our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above allpraiseworthy and exalted above all
forever;forever;
53 And blessed is your holy and glorious53 And blessed is your holy and glorious
name,name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for allpraiseworthy and exalted above all for all
ages.ages.
 54 Blessed are you in the temple of your54 Blessed are you in the temple of your
holy glory,holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above allpraiseworthy and glorious above all
forever.forever.
 55 Blessed are you on the throne of your55 Blessed are you on the throne of your
kingdom,kingdom,
forever.forever.
 56 Blessed are you who look into the56 Blessed are you who look into the
depthsdepths
from your throne upon the cherubim,from your throne upon the cherubim,
forever.forever.
Commentary
 The responsorial psalm comes
not from the book of Psalms, but
from the book of Daniel.
 It is a psalm / prayer blessing
and praising God.
 Each verse repeats,
“praiseworthy and exalted
above all forever / for all ages.
 Vv.52-53 see God as the God of
their history (fathers), with his
holy and glorious name.
 Vv.54-56 state where God is
praised:
 In the temple
 On the throne of his kingdom
 On the throne upon the
cherubim

Reflection on the PsalmReflection on the Psalm
 The purpose of our life is not just to eat
and drink, but to give praise to the Lord.
 It is unbecoming of us if we don’t
recognize God’s power and glory.
 We should spend our prime time
acknowledging his majesty.

22ndnd
reading: 2 Corinthians 13,11-13reading: 2 Corinthians 13,11-13
 11 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend
your ways, encourage one another, agree
with one another, live in peace, and the
God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All
the holy ones greet you. 13 The grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with
all of you.
The focus is on the Trinity.

22ndnd
Exhortations
 11 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your
ways, encourage one another, agree with one
another, live in peace, and the God of love and
peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another
with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you.
Greetings
 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the
love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit
be with all of you.
A simple outline!

22ndnd
Exhortations
 11 Brothers and sisters,
rejoice. Mend your ways,
encourage one another,
agree with one another, live
in peace, and the God of
love and peace will be with
you. 12 Greet one another
with a holy kiss. All the holy
ones greet you.
Greetings
 13 The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ and the love
of God and the fellowship
of the holy Spirit be with all
of you.
CommentaryCommentary
 Vv.11-12 give exhortations.Vv.11-12 give exhortations.
 RejoiceRejoice
 Mend your waysMend your ways
 Encourage one anotherEncourage one another
 Live in peace.Live in peace.
 Greet one another…Greet one another…
 Only two sentences in vv.11-12 areOnly two sentences in vv.11-12 are
not in the imperative mood.not in the imperative mood.
 The God of love and peace will beThe God of love and peace will be
with you.with you.
 All the holy ones greet you.All the holy ones greet you.
 In v.13, Paul greets the Corinthians.In v.13, Paul greets the Corinthians.
The liturgy has adopted this formulaThe liturgy has adopted this formula
in the greetings at the beginning ofin the greetings at the beginning of
the mass.the mass.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
 St. Paul, the author, expresses his fatherly
concern to the Christians in Corinth.
 As a missionary, preacher and teacher, he
reminds them of the good Christian behaviors.
 The recommended Christian behaviors are
useful for the building up of the Christian
community in Corinth.
 We, Christians, living at the present age, need
also to exhibit good behavior towards others.
 We remind ourselves to be: joyful and
peaceable.
 We acknowledge the presence of each one, by
wishing them well, in the name of the Holy
Trinity.

Gospel reading: John 3,16-18Gospel reading: John 3,16-18
 16 For God so loved the world that he
gave his only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him might not perish but might
have eternal life. 17 For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but that the world might be saved
through him. 18 Whoever believes in him
will not be condemned, but whoever does
not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name
of the only Son of God.
The focus is on the Father and the Son.

God’s salvific love
 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his
only Son, so that everyone who believes in him
might not perish but might have eternal life. 17
For God did not send his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but that the world might be
saved through him.
Man’s faith-response
 18 Whoever believes in him will not be
condemned, but whoever does not believe has
already been condemned, because he has not
believed in the name of the only Son of God.
A simple outline!

 16 For God so loved the
world that he gave his only
Son, so that everyone who
believes in him might not
perish but might have
eternal life. 17 For God
did not send his Son into
the world to condemn the
world, but that the world
might be saved through
him.
 18 Whoever believes in
him will not be
condemned, but whoever
does not believe has
already been condemned,
because he has not
believed in the name of the
only Son of God.
CommentaryCommentary
 V.16 affirms God’sV.16 affirms God’s lovelove to the world.to the world.
 It is not just an ordinaryIt is not just an ordinary lovelove..
 It is a passionateIt is a passionate lovelove, as indicated, as indicated
in the phrase “Godin the phrase “God soso lovedloved…”…”
 It is also indicated by the fact that heIt is also indicated by the fact that he
gives his only Son.gives his only Son.
 His Son is not an ordinary gift.His Son is not an ordinary gift.
 It is a total gift of Himself.It is a total gift of Himself.
 Faith in him brings about life eternal,Faith in him brings about life eternal,
not perdition.not perdition.
 V.17 reinforces God’s purpose forV.17 reinforces God’s purpose for
sending his Son: that the worldsending his Son: that the world
might be saved through him, not tomight be saved through him, not to
condemn it.condemn it.
 Notice here that the worldNotice here that the world
represents humans, not the worldrepresents humans, not the world
that is opposed to God.that is opposed to God.

 16 For God so loved the
world that he gave his only
Son, so that everyone who
believes in him might not
perish but might have
eternal life. 17 For God
did not send his Son into
the world to condemn the
world, but that the world
might be saved through
him.
 18 Whoever believes in
him will not be
condemned, but whoever
does not believe has
already been condemned,
because he has not
believed in the name of the
only Son of God.
 V.18 makes an encouragingV.18 makes an encouraging
statement to those, who wantstatement to those, who want
eternal life and salvation.eternal life and salvation.
 All they have to do is to believe inAll they have to do is to believe in
the Son.the Son.
 V.18 also mentions about those whoV.18 also mentions about those who
don’t believe and what happens todon’t believe and what happens to
them: condemnation.them: condemnation.
 Those who don’t believe areThose who don’t believe are
predestined to be condemned,predestined to be condemned,
because they have not believed inbecause they have not believed in
the first place.the first place.
 It is a big mistake not to believe inIt is a big mistake not to believe in
the only Son of God.the only Son of God.

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading
 The gospel reading states God’s lovingloving purpose to the
world (humanity): eternal life.
 What the world (humanity) needs to do is to believe
(accept) in the only Son of God, who comes precisely to
save us.
 Those who miss the point (purpose) of God has
devastating effect: perdition, condemnation, no hope.
 Listeners of this gospel message should take seriously
God’s Son.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 TheThe first readingfirst reading encourages the peopleencourages the people
(sinners) to have hope in God because he is(sinners) to have hope in God because he is a
merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and
rich in kindness and fidelity.
 The responsorial psalm exhorts us to praise God
in his house.
 TheThe second readsecond readinging encourages good Christianencourages good Christian
behavior. The Christian must be positive in hisbehavior. The Christian must be positive in his
dealings with other people. Christians must bedealings with other people. Christians must be
saints (holy).saints (holy).
 TheThe gospel readinggospel reading encourages the readers andencourages the readers and
listeners (sinners) to believe in Jesus in order tolisteners (sinners) to believe in Jesus in order to
have life eternal.have life eternal.

How to develop your homily / sharingHow to develop your homily / sharing
 What is the meaning of the HolyWhat is the meaning of the Holy TrinityTrinity to us?to us?
 TheThe FatherFather is a merciful God, who gives consideration tois a merciful God, who gives consideration to
sinners (stiff-necked people).sinners (stiff-necked people). (1(1stst
reading)reading)
 TheThe SonSon is a gift of God, and when received (believed),is a gift of God, and when received (believed),
he brings us to salvation. (gospel)he brings us to salvation. (gospel)
 Real believers ofReal believers of JesusJesus will necessarily exhibit inspiringwill necessarily exhibit inspiring
behavior to other people.behavior to other people. (2(2ndnd
reading)reading)
 Where is theWhere is the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit? We know him together with the? We know him together with the
Father and the Son in the second reading.Father and the Son in the second reading.

 We can develop the meaning of the greeting, v.13, in theWe can develop the meaning of the greeting, v.13, in the
second reading:second reading:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and
the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.”
 TheThe gracegrace of ourof our Lord Jesus ChristLord Jesus Christ:: charischaris, favor, favor
 TheThe lovelove ofof GodGod:: agapeagape, love, the highest Christian virtue, love, the highest Christian virtue
 TheThe fellowshipfellowship of theof the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit:: koinoniakoinonia, participation,, participation,
sharingsharing
 What more can we ask if we have them all as desired inWhat more can we ask if we have them all as desired in
this greeting?this greeting?
 This is the Christian greetingThis is the Christian greeting par excellencepar excellence, rightly, rightly
considered by the liturgists, who put it at the start of theconsidered by the liturgists, who put it at the start of the
Mass.Mass.

 If theIf the triune Godtriune God is with us and if we are filled with theis with us and if we are filled with the
gifts, which each person of thegifts, which each person of the TrinityTrinity gives us, there isgives us, there is
nothing more to ask.nothing more to ask.
 This is what we call the fullness of life.This is what we call the fullness of life.
 Our hearts cannot but rejoice and be thankful.Our hearts cannot but rejoice and be thankful.
 Our minds cannot but put God and his gifts into ourOur minds cannot but put God and his gifts into our
memory. We live and grow in pleasant memories.memory. We live and grow in pleasant memories.
 Our souls cannot but soar up into heaven, our trueOur souls cannot but soar up into heaven, our true
home, which can be anticipated now through our properhome, which can be anticipated now through our proper
Christian behavior.Christian behavior.

 We, Catholics, believe in the HolyWe, Catholics, believe in the Holy TrinityTrinity..
 We must be the luckiest and the happiest believers inWe must be the luckiest and the happiest believers in
the world.the world.
 We areWe are Trinitarians,Trinitarians, who believe in a super gracious andwho believe in a super gracious and
merciful God.merciful God.
 AsAs TrinitariansTrinitarians, we live our faith by making the sign of, we live our faith by making the sign of
the cross at the beginning and end of our prayers andthe cross at the beginning and end of our prayers and
liturgies.liturgies.
 We are baptized in the name of the HolyWe are baptized in the name of the Holy TrinityTrinity..

 In theIn the eucharisteucharist, we affirm our faith in the Trinity., we affirm our faith in the Trinity.
 In theIn the eucharisteucharist, we give glory to the Holy Trinity., we give glory to the Holy Trinity.
 TheThe eucharisteucharist strengthens our belief in the Holystrengthens our belief in the Holy
Trinity, the holy Community, that makes us holyTrinity, the holy Community, that makes us holy
as a community.as a community.
 In theIn the eucharisteucharist, we participate in the life of the, we participate in the life of the
Trinity.Trinity.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
 No faith in the Triune God
 No faith in the merciful
God
 Does not celebrate
 Does not acknowledge
God’s greatness
 Does not relate
 Does not communicate
 Trinitarian faithTrinitarian faith
 Faith that leads toFaith that leads to
community lifecommunity life
 Faith that leads toFaith that leads to
thankfulness andthankfulness and
celebrationcelebration
 Living in the mystery ofLiving in the mystery of
the Trinitythe Trinity

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs
 God Father Praise and GloryGod Father Praise and Glory
 The Living God by Sebastian TempleThe Living God by Sebastian Temple

 Dear sisters and brothers,
 We are called to live in a Trinitarian form
of life.
 Fr Cielo

Holy Trinity A

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