The document provides commentary and analysis of readings for a Bible study on the Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity. It summarizes the key points of three readings: 1) The first reading from Proverbs describes wisdom as the son of God who was present at creation and worked alongside God. 2) The response psalm praises God for creating humanity and giving them dominion over creation. 3) The second reading from Romans outlines the benefits of faith, including peace with God, access to grace, and the ability to endure hardship which produces character and hope.

1. Welcome to our Bible
Study
Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity C
22May 2016
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st
reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
 22 "The LORD begot me, the first-born of his ways, the
forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; 23 From of old I
was poured forth, at the first, before the earth. 24 When
there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were
no fountains or springs of water; 25 Before the mountains
were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought
forth; 26 While as yet the earth and the fields were not
made, nor the first clods of the world. 27 "When he
established the heavens I was there, when he marked out
the vault over the face of the deep; 28 When he made firm
the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the
earth; 29 When he set for the sea its limit, so that the
waters should not transgress his command; 30 Then was I
beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by
day, Playing before him all the while, 31 playing on the
surface of his earth; and I found delight in the sons of men.

3. 1st
reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
 22 "The LORD begot me, the first-born of his ways, the
forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; 23 From of old I
was poured forth, at the first, before the earth. 24 When
there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were
no fountains or springs of water; 25 Before the mountains
were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought
forth; 26 While as yet the earth and the fields were not
made, nor the first clods of the world. 27 "When he
established the heavens I was there, when he marked out
the vault over the face of the deep; 28 When he made
firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of
the earth; 29 When he set for the sea its limit, so that the
waters should not transgress his command; 30 Then was I
beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by
day, Playing before him all the while, 31 playing on the
surface of his earth; and I found delight in the sons of men.
The focus is on the eternity of the Father and Son.
The bold red letters refer to God the Father. The rest of the red
letters refer to the “son.”

4. 1st
reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
The son (wisdom) speaking in first person, when brought
forth
 22 "The LORD begot me, the first-born of his ways, the
forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; 23 From of old I was
poured forth, at the first, before the earth. 24 When there were
no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or
springs of water; 25 Before the mountains were settled into
place, before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 While as yet the
earth and the fields were not made, nor the first clods of the
world.
The son (wisdom) speaking in the first person, his eternal
presence
 27 "When he established the heavens I was there, when he
marked out the vault over the face of the deep; 28 When he
made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of
the earth; 29 When he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters
should not transgress his command; 30 Then was I beside him
as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, Playing before
him all the while, 31 playing on the surface of his earth; and I
found delight in the sons of men.
A simple outline!

5. 1st
reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
The son (wisdom)
speaking in first
person, when brought
forth
 22 "The LORD begot me,
the first-born of his ways,
the forerunner of his
prodigies of long ago; 23
From of old I was poured
forth, at the first, before
the earth. 24 When there
were no depths I was
brought forth, when there
were no fountains or
springs of water; 25
Before the mountains
were settled into place,
before the hills, I was
brought forth; 26 While
as yet the earth and the
fields were not made, nor
the first clods of the
world.
Commentary
 In v.22, wisdom (personified as son)
describes God like a woman who begets him.
 He also describes his pre-existence as being
the 1st born of the Lord’s ways and the
forerunner of all prodigies (sons).
 V.23 repeats the idea of begetting in a
different manner (I was poured forth).
 The element of time is expressed in parallel
ways: from of old // before the earth.
 V.24 repeats again the idea of begetting (I
was brought forth).
 The time is expressed again in parallel form
(there were no depths // no fountains or
springs)
 V.25 makes another repetition (I was brought
forth).
 The time is expressed again in parallel form
(before the mountains // before the hills).
 V.26 continues the time element (no earth
and fields yet // no first clod of the world).

6. 1st
reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
The son (wisdom) speaking
in the first person, his
eternal presence
 27 "When he established the
heavens I was there, when he
marked out the vault over the
face of the deep; 28 When
he made firm the skies
above, when he fixed fast the
foundations of the earth; 29
When he set for the sea its
limit, so that the waters
should not transgress his
command; 30 Then was I
beside him as his craftsman,
and I was his delight day by
day, Playing before him all
the while, 31 playing on the
surface of his earth; and I
found delight in the sons of
men.
 In v.27, wisdom (son) describes
his pre-existence in parallel form
 when God was creating the
skies // marking out the vault...
 Making firm the skies // fixing fast
the foundations of the earth. V.28
 Setting the limit of the sea, not to
invade the dry land. V.29
 Before these pre-historical
(primeval, primordial) times, the
pre-existent son describes
himself as a craftsman (artisan,
engineer, skilled worker) involved
in the creation. V.30
 He is also a musician entertaining
God and finding joy in the
company of humanity. Vv.30-31.

7. Reflections on the 1st
reading
 The reading from the book of Proverbs represents
well the two important descriptions of the son of
God: 1) pre-existent and present and 2) active
during the creation.
 God (Lord, Father) is acknowledged as the
begetter, like a woman, of the son (wisdom) and
creator of all things.
 The wisdom (son) was with the Father since the
beginning of time and of creation.
 The first reading speaks of the eternity of God, an
important aspect of God to be God.
 In the reading we can focus on the creative
Father and the ever present cooperative and
talented Son.

8. Resp. Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
 (2a) O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all
the earth!
 When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place —
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?
 You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet:
 All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

9. Resp. Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
 (2a) O Lord, our God, how
wonderful your name in all the
earth!
 4 When I behold your heavens, the
work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you
set in place —
5 What is man that you should be
mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should
care for him?
 6 You have made him little less than
the angels,
and crowned him with glory and
honor.
7 You have given him rule over the
works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet:
 8 All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the
sea,
9 and whatever swims the paths of
the seas.
Commentary
 The psalm is a psalm of
praise.
 We must start with the
response (2a).
 V.2a exclaims the majesty of
God.
 The reasons are rapidly
enumerated in the following
verses:
 Heavens, moon and stars
set in place, v.4.
 Man, son of man, v.5
 Man, less than a god, but
crowned him… v.6
 Man, ruler/in-charge of all
creatures, v.7
 Like the animals on the
ground, in the air and sea.
Vv.8-9.

10. Reflections on the Psalm
 We are God’s special creatures, among the created
beings.
 We are almost like God.
 We are given responsibility to take care of other
creatures.
 We give glory to God if we do our job as humans, not as
gods.

11. 2nd
reading: Romans 5,1-5
 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access
(by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we
boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only
that, but we even boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4
and endurance, proven character, and proven
character, hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into
our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been
given to us.

12. 2nd
reading: Romans 5,1-5
 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access
(by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we
boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only
that, but we even boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4
and endurance, proven character, and proven
character, hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into
our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been
given to us.
The focus is on the benefits of having faith.

13. 2nd
reading: Romans 5,1-5
 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access
(by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we
boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only
that, but we even boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4
and endurance, proven character, and proven
character, hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into
our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been
given to us.
The focus is on the benefits of having faith.

14. 2nd
reading: Romans 5,1-5
The fruit of faith in general terms (peace,
grace, glory)
 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access
(by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we
boast in hope of the glory of God.
The fruit of faith in more specific, concrete
terms (in the believers)
 3 Not only that, but we even boast of our
afflictions, knowing that affliction produces
endurance, 4 and endurance, proven character,
and proven character, hope, 5 and hope does
not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit
that has been given to us.
A simple outline!

15. 2nd
reading: Romans 5,1-5
The fruit of faith in general
terms (peace, grace,
glory)
 1 Therefore, since we have
been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, 2
through whom we have
gained access (by faith) to
this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in hope of the
glory of God.
The fruit of faith in more
specific, concrete terms
(in the believers)
 3 Not only that, but we even
boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction
produces endurance, 4 and
endurance, proven character,
and proven character, hope,
5 and hope does not
disappoint, because the love
of God has been poured out
into our hearts through the
holy Spirit that has been
given to us.
Commentary
 The text speaks of what happens when
we are justified by faith.
 We have peace with God (v.1)
 We have access to grace (v.2)
 We boast of our afflictions (v.3)
In vv.3-5, notice the sequence of the
following:
•Affliction (suffering) produces
endurance.
•Endurance produces character.
•Character produces hope.
•Hope does not disappoint us.
V.5 continues mentioning the reward of
having been justified by faith:
The love of God has been poured out.
The Holy Spirit has been given to us.

16. Reflections on the 2nd
reading
 Paul shares his reflections on being justified by faith (made
right by believing in Jesus).
 By faith in Jesus,
 we are entitled to live in peace with God and
 we have access to his graces and
 we can look forward to participate in his glory.
 The text should console those who are suffering because of
their faith.
 In fact, it is an invitation to “boast” of our afflictions (other
translations: “let us rejoice in our sufferings”).
 Sufferings build our character and lead us to glory.
 Forget hope (success) if you have no ability to make
sacrifices.

17. Gospel reading: John 16,12-15
 12 "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot
bear it now. 13 But when he comes, the Spirit of
truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not
speak on his own, but he will speak what he
hears, and will declare to you the things that are
coming. 14 He will glorify me, because he will
take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15
Everything that the Father has is mine; for this
reason I told you that he will take from what is
mine and declare it to you.

18. Gospel reading: John 16,12-15
 12 "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot
bear it now. 13 But when he comes, the Spirit of
truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not
speak on his own, but he will speak what he
hears, and will declare to you the things that are
coming. 14 He will glorify me, because he will
take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15
Everything that the Father has is mine; for this
reason I told you that he will take from what is
mine and declare it to you.
The focus is on the work of the Holy Spirit.

19. Gospel reading: John 16,12-15
 12 "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot
bear it now. 13 But when he comes, the Spirit
of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not
speak on his own, but he will speak what he
hears, and will declare to you the things that are
coming. 14 He will glorify me, because he will
take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15
Everything that the Father has is mine; for this
reason I told you that he will take from what is
mine and declare it to you.
Take note of the names of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the text.

20. Gospel reading: John 16,12-15
The Son speaking
 12 "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot
bear it now.
The Holy Spirit representing
 13 But when the comes, the Spirit of truth, he
will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his
own, but he will speak what he hears, and will
declare to you the things that are coming. 14 He
will glorify me, because he will take from what is
mine and declare it to you.
The Father sharing
 15 Everything that the Father has is mine; for
this reason I told you that he will take from what
is mine and declare it to you.
A simple outline!

21. Gospel reading: John 16,12-15
The Son speaking
 12 "I have much more to tell
you, but you cannot bear it
now.
The Holy Spirit representing
 13 But when the comes, the
Spirit of truth, he will guide
you to all truth. He will not
speak on his own, but he will
speak what he hears, and will
declare to you the things that
are coming. 14 He will glorify
me, because he will take
from what is mine and
declare it to you.
The Father sharing
 15 Everything that the
Father has is mine; for this
reason I told you that he will
take from what is mine and
declare it to you.
Commentary
The text belongs to the
farewell discourse at the Last
Supper.
V.12 indicates the immensity
of Jesus’ materials he wants
to share with us and our
inability to take and process
them all for now.
Vv.13-14 indicate the role of
the Holy Spirit:
•Guide to all truth
•Represents Jesus (speaks for
Jesus)
•Declares (reveals) things
coming in the future.
•Glorifies Jesus
•Takes / brings / declares
whatever pertains to Jesus.
V.15 indicates the source of
Jesus’ richness.

22. Reflections on the gospel
 Like in the second reading, if you noticed, the
names of the persons of the Trinity appear.
 The text does not really develop the mystery of
the Trinity.
 It is more on the Holy Spirit.
 We can know more about the Trinity if we inquire
from theologians.
 Theologians try to systematize their readings of
biblical texts and the reflections and teachings of
apostles, their successors and the magisterium
(teaching authority of the Church).

23.  Of course, from the short gospel reading, we can know the
dynamism (activities) of each of the persons in the Holy
Trinity.
 The Father shares with the Son whatever belongs to him.
 The Son acknowledges that whatever belongs to him
belongs to the Father. He is willing to share with us all that
he has / is.
 The Holy Spirit does not speak for himself but for the Son
and the Father. He comes to guide us to the truth.
 The Father, Son and Holy Spirit act together as one God in
us. They do not act separately or contradict one another
 What a perfect community!

24. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading talks of the creative power of the ever-
present God/Father, and the pre-existence of the
Son/wisdom.
 The psalm recognizes the greatness of God for creating
man.
 The second reading talks about the rewards of having faith
in Christ.
 The gospel reading talks about the role of the Holy Spirit.
Here we are ready to expound the role of the Holy
Trinity in our lives.
Take note: The Old Testament authors were not aware of the Holy
Trinity. God’s self-disclosure as Triune God came about with the New
Testament. The official formulation comes from our theologians.

25. How to develop our sharing / homilyHow to develop our sharing / homily
 Describe (a) your family. How many members of your
family do you have?
 How does each member relate to the other members?
 very open, very close to one another; sometimes tense, there is
conflict, there is favoritism, there is competition, etc.?

26.  The Holy Trinity is a perfect community / family.
 The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all distinct from
one another, yet, they are one God, one community.
 They are related to one another in love.
 They don’t contradict each other.

27.  The readings tell us that each of them is active in
us and in our history.
 The Father is the one who creates everything,
puts all things in order with their limitations. (1st
reading)
 The Son, if we believe in him, brings us grace and
assures us of our salvation. (2nd
reading)
 The Holy Spirit leads us to the full truth, to
understand the fullness of God’s revelation (self-
disclosure to be more intimate with him, to share in his
life). (gospel)

28.  This feast reminds us of what our families,
parishes or communities should be:
 We recognize our differences and uniqueness but should
live in unity.
 We have been baptized in the name of the Holy
Trinity.
 As Christians belonging to our Church, we
recognize the talent of each one.
 Each Christian must find his/her specific job to
do, in order to share
 in God’s creativity,
 in Jesus’ salvific mission and
 in the Holy Spirit’s light and clarity.

29.  Divisiveness, fragmentation, and factionalism,
are all hindrances towards community building.
 Indolence (laziness, inactivity, no diligence) also
has no place in our Church.
 They are in no way reflective of the Trinitarian
life of God.
 We best worship our God by imitating the
discipline and activity of the Triune God.

30.  The eucharist is a sacrament of unity.
 The eucharist energizes us to share in the creative
deeds and words of the Triune God.
 In the eucharist, we best celebrate the mystery of the
Holy Trinity.

31. Our Context
 Racism
 Regionalism
 Sexism
 Discrimination
 Claims of past privileges
 Exclusivism
 Isolationism
 Elitism
 Ghettoism
 Unable to establish good
relationships
 Unity
 Harmony
 Peacemaking
 Building bridges
 Dialogue
 Communitarianism
 Fraternal life

32. Suggested Songs
 The Living God by Sebastian Temple
 Ama Namin
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g3XxLVkq30
 God is Alive
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Y7L0NocBU