How To Live The Trinity

This Sunday, we will be celebrating the Holy Trinity. This doctrine is simple to write: “One God in three persons” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 253). Yet what it reveals about love, the nature of God, and ourselves is a mystery that will never truly be understood here on earth.

Pope Francis recommends that we work on “living this mystery.” What could this mean?

Well, the Trinity is a unity (CCC, no. 266). God the Father, God the Son, and preceding from their love, God the Holy Spirit. A unity of love!

Thus, one way to live out this mystery is to be open to growing in greater unity with those around us: from our most immediate family to distant relatives, friends, the wider community, and humanity.

This unity is also a part of our identity. We are created in the image of God, and since God is love, and that love is a unity, we are created in unity and love.

We see this community most strongly in receiving the Eucharist together, united as the Body of Christ. We see it in our shared worship at Mass.

Unity and Love in Response to Tragedy

We also see this connection in difficult moments such as the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The sadness we felt all across the world, even if we knew no one involved, speaks to the shared loss of this event. We continue to pray and mourn for all 21 lives lost.

Immediately after the shooting, we saw our unity lived out in service of others. For example, for the first time in my life, it was difficult to sign up to donate blood; all the time slots were filled!  We are stepping up to give, united in that shared call to give more of ourselves.

This is what the Trinity helps me to understand:

• A communion of Persons
• A community of faith
• A common humanity

All under one God.

What Does Living The Trinity Require?

The Trinity may be difficult to comprehend; it is indeed a mystery. But sometimes, living out that mystery of the Trinity may be even more difficult, for it requires self-sacrificial love.

Thankfully, we have the graces from God and the Sacraments of the Church to help us.

Have a blessed Trinity Sunday!

Daniel Quintero is a newlywed husband, writer, and avid karaoke singer. He currently attends Prince of Peace Catholic Church where he volunteers in the lector ministry and with faith formation. His favorite motto: “Awkwardness does not exist.”