The Most Holy Trinity is a Reflection of God's Image and Likeness

The Most Holy Trinity is great mystery. Many people such as scholars, historians, and educated people have tried to explain the existence of the Holy Trinity. Some non-denominations that descended from the Catholic Church have abandoned the belief in the Trinity because it is hard to understand and explain. On the contrary, the Catholic Church continues to hold onto the apostolic faith handed down by Tradition in the belief the Most Holy Trinity is three persons in One God. Lets keep in mind, the Trinity is a mystery, but the human person is a reflection of the Trinity in God's Image and Likeness.

The word Trinity or trinitas in Latin means threefold. The word is not in scripture, but it is derived from the early Church Fathers that try to explain the belief that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons in One God. The Church Fathers, such as Ireneaus, Tertullian, and many others used examples to describe the Holy Trinity. For instance, Ireneaus used the image of the two hands united to the body--the head is the Father and the two hands is the Son and the Holy Spirit. According to Irenaeus, the Father is the Creator, and from the Father who is the Source of existence comes the Son who is begotten (not made); the Son, like the Father is involve in the process of Creation as the plan of creation unfolds; in addition, the Holy Spirit is the architect in the process of creation.

For Tertullian, there is the image of the plant, a stream, and the sun. The plant has three distinct parts like the Root (the Father), the shoot (the Son), and the fruit of the plant (the Holy Spirit), what unites the parts together is the root of the plant. The other image is the stream which begins with a font or spring (the Father) and the stream ( the Son), and the canal (Holy Spirit). Another image is the Sun, the Sun is the source (Father), the rays of the sun is the Son, and the heat produce from the rays of the sun is the Holy Spirit; all three are united into One Source.

However, from the very beginning of Creation, the presence of the Holy Trinity has been hidden from the believer. The Father, who is the creator, is selfless and shares creation with humanity. He is present with the Son as the Word through whom all things came into the existence, and of course the Spirit as the wisdom of God. In Genesis 1:26, there is the presence of more than one person involve in creation. God the Father said, "Let us make in our image." Here is a small evidence that the presence of the Holy Trinity had already existed from the very beginning of time. Moreover, the presence of the Trinity reappears in the scene of  Abraham by the Terebinth (Gn. 18:1-2). Abraham looked up and saw three men whom scholars claim is the presence of the Holy Trinity.

All this, leads one to discuss that each person in the world is a reflection of the Holy Trinity. When God the Father created Adam, he loved his Son so much that he took the image of His Son to create Adam. In addition, He breath into Adam's nostrils life and gave him the Spirit. Imagine, the love of God is reflected in the first human being to be righteous and holy like the Trinity. However, the image and likeness of God became tarnish; for this reason, God sent his only Begotten son to reveal the hidden presence of the Trinity and from where Adam's image came from. In John's Gospel, Jesus, who is the second person of the Trinity, heals a blind man and puts dirt and saliva onto his eyes (Jn. 9). The man recovers his eyesight, but he realizes that he could see and sees Jesus. Although he does not recognize from where his image and likeness comes from, the image and likeness of humanity comes from the Son.

Our entire life has to reflect the image and likeness of Christ here on earth while imitating his example, and hopefully we could come to reflect his passion, death, and resurrection. He has come to reveal the hidden presence of the Holy Trinity by once again uniting us to the Father through the Holy Spirit. His death brought about the unity that once kept humanity apart from his creator. Today, we have been blessed to see where our true reflection comes from, and we must look like him on the cross and resurrected from our graves. May this inspiration draw us closer to the mystery of the Holy Trinity.        

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mat. 15:21-28)

The woman is a Canaanite. The Canaanites were known to defile the land of Israel with their idolatry and pagan practices. In fact, the Canaanites could be traced back to line of Cain. After the flood, Noah had three unmarried sons, and one of those sons were Canaan. In addition, Abraham traveled through the middle east and one of the pieces of land he bought was in Canaan.

In Genesis 10:15, "Canaan became the father of Si'don."Here is a connection with Jesus traveling to Tyre and Sidon. The tree commentary Tyre and Si'don is located north of Palestine.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is traveling to neighboring towns proclaiming the Good News. He has just finished talking about impurity and what defiles a person in chapter 15. Next, he hears the screams of a woman that begs Jesus to listen to her request. However, Jesus says something astonishing to the Canaanite woman, since the Canaanites were considered to be immoral people. In addition, they also represent the gentile Church that has been excluded from the kingdom of God. On the contrary, the woman knows that Jesus is a holy and righteous man, but this does not stop her from pursing and begging Jesus to listen to her request.

The Canaanite woman cried out to Jesus, "Have mercy on me, Oh Lord, Son of David." These words of mercy and recognition before Jesus that she does not consider herself to be worthy or upright before eyes. Unlike the Pharisees and Sadducee's who never recognized their sinfulness nor beg Jesus for mercy and petition. However, Jesus did not answer her a word. The question remains open. Why would Jesus not say a word to the woman who was pleading for a miracle?

The Canaanite woman petition for her daughter to be free from a demon. Scripture does not explain what kind of demon she had, but she might have had a demon that was leading her to commit a sin. However, she did not give up on her persistent toward Jesus for scripture attest, she was crying. The Canaanite woman reveals a repented heart, a turning away from sin towards the living God who forgives and restores back to life. The disciples are blind to this reality that the woman out of heart cries out with a contrite heart and Jesus could see this. As a result, the disciples are embarrass for this woman's behavior and begged Jesus to send her away.

Jesus responded, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."Jesus was not trying to discourage the woman from her persistence in asking for a miracle, he let her know that Jesus is the good shepherd and seeks out the lost sheep. Canaanite woman is the lost sheep and she listens to the voice of the shepherd. She turns away from sin and turns to the answer for her problem.

Her persistence led her to do the impossible something that the Israelite's were not able to do. Scripture says she came and knelt before him. Her body posture and reverence to the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings demonstrates her humility and recognition that she needs a savior and Jesus is the answer. For Holy Scripture says, "Return, says the Lord, I will not remain angry with you; For I am merciful, I will not continue my wrath forever. Return, rebellious children, says the Lord" (Jer. 3:12b, 14a). Thus, the woman says, "Lord, help me." She expresses a sign of repentance and she recognizes her weaknesses before God. For this reason, Jesus says to her, O woman, great is your faith!"

In this Lenten season, we are called to imitate the life of the Canaanite woman that seeks the Lord in humility. She recognized her sinfulness and cries out to Jesus for mercy and love. Jesus remains silent, but he does not despised her petition. She demonstrates a contrite heart by crying to him to help her overcome the demon her daughter had. Then, she teaches us how to obtain the blessing, she knelt down and beg the Lord.

The American Lie: "You Could Be Anyone You Want."

In America, secular society states that any person could be who they want to be as he or she grows up. Back in the ninedies, Michael Jordan became the center and inspiration for all the citizens and non-citizens in Chicago. He had outstanding skills and movements while playing basketball; he capture the attention of many viewers. As a result, gatorade put out a phrase, "You could be like Mike." In addition, there were songs that had a phrase, such as "Like Mike, I could be like Mike!" This is not true; although, being who you want to be is part of the American ideals. The point is that one cannot be like Michael Jordan because Jordan is a reflection of himself. Society was promoting a reflection of the self and not a reflection of God. 

In Genesis 1:26, the author states that God says, "Let us create man in our own image and likeness." Here there is the existence of more than one person acting in creation. Man was created to reflect the image and likeness of God. After the fall, man became the reflection of himself instead of God. He lost his identity and reflection throughout history. 

The Church Fathers zero in on the account of Creation. St. Irenaeus gives a commentary on Genesis 1:27 by recalling what Christ did in the book of the Gospel of John. Jesus heals a blind man. However, the man was born blind, and many people thought that this blind man was born with sin. Although the Jewish thought was right that each man was born with sin, he was the instrument in how Jesus will repeat the same action from the beginning of Creation. Jesus repeats the same actions as he saw his Father do in the moment of creation. Jesus takes mud and spits on it and then he smears mud on the eyes of the blind man. The blind goes off and washes in the pool; he goes to the temple, and he becomes interogated; but eventually gets kicked out. Jesus appears again, and he says, "Do you believe in the Son of Man? the man says, "Who is he, sir, so that I may believe in him? Jesus says, "You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." Society continues to be blinded by the truth of who the person truly is. We are called not to be reflections of the self, but to be icons and reflections of Jesus Christ. 

Thus, each person is unique and different because God created us differently. We are called to reflect the image and likeness of Christ onto others, The moment our eyes are open to this truth of where our creation comes from, it is the moment when we could reveal onto others the love of God. Being an icon means to reveal the love of Christ in generosity, service, and love onto to others who are hungry for truth. 

Wisdom Be Attentive

I was getting ready for morning prayer, and I was drawn to a scripture verse. The Holy Spirit began to speak to me through the author of the book of Wisdom 7:26-27. Wisdom is view in a feminine way. She is the that has eternal light for the mind; She is the mirror of the power of God; She is goodness; She makes all things new; She guides men and women in the right direction; and she produces friends  for God and prophets.

As I read through this and contemplated on the Word. The Wisdom that the author is talking about is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit passes on to the minds and hearts of the people in order to prepare the way to eternal happiness with the Trinity. One thing is certain, the author points out that the Holy Spirit makes friends of God. Enoch, in the book of Genesis, was filled with the Holy Spirit and walked with God. He walked faithfully with God by listening to the voice of Wisdom that passes on to souls that are willing to grow in holiness and righteousness all the days of their lives. Then, Enoch was taken up to heaven because God took him away.

In the same way, God speaks to us each day in different circumstances in order to walk with him on the right path just like Enoch. He, the holy Spirit, continues to renew us, so that we could be taken up with God as we walk with him. May the Holy Spirit continue to reveal the wisdom of God in order to be reflections of God' friends in the midsts of our journey towards Heaven.

The Gateway to Jesus

Every Catholic Church has a tabernacle either in the chapel or in the center of the sanctuary. Before one could get close to the tabernacle, one would have to walk through the sanctuary doors. The doors of course remain locked and are open for the Divine Office or some liturgical celebration. The doors have keys, and so does the tabernacle. A key represents access to something that is forbidden or unable to trespass into another area. In the Gospel of Matthew, he records a parable about the ten virgins. He says, "Here is the Bridegroom! Go out to meet him."

In the Seminary community, the seminarians go out of their rooms in haste to prepare for Mass and Adoration. They go out of their rooms to have an encounter with someone that is about to meet them. They seat at their assign seats as the celebrant and alters servers stand at the back of the entrance of the sanctuary doors.

The doors represent the entrance towards the next step to encounter someone. Although the seminarians, servers, and celebrant might not be fully aware who is coming to meet them, the setting for the preparation is ready with incense, hymns, and prayers. After the consecration of the bread and wine, someone becomes present and visible.

However, there is still another place that needs to be open in order for the celebration to continue. The Deacon or the acolyte make their way to the tabernacle and has a key on his hand to open the door. The door is open and remains open until the he places sacrament back at the tabernacle.

Matthew knew exactly what Jesus was saying when he said, " The bridegroom is here! go out to meet him." The seminarians along with the servers and celebrant go out and meet Jesus in the Divine Office. He becomes present in the Sacrament, the precious Blood and Body of Jesus Christ, to enter another place where he will make his dwelling.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus talks about ten virgins that were wise. Five were foolish and the five of them were wise. The foolish ones did not have enough oil, so they asked the wise ones to share their oil. However, the wise ones did not share their oil knowing that it took them a long time to acquire such expensive oil. The Bridegroom sits in his kingdom, which is the Divine Office and the tabernacle, and the doors are locked. The doors become open once the celebration occurs and Jesus himself walks through the streets of the world in search for those who are ready to receive him. The five wise virgins had oil that kept their lamps burning all night; the light represents the Gospel of Jesus Christ shining in the darkness of the world. The other foolish ones ran out of oil and allow the darkness of the world to overcome the light of the Gospel in their lives.

John, in the book of Revelation, utters the words of Jesus, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and lets me in I will dine with him." When the bridegroom comes out to meet us, He knocks at the gates of our hearts and dines with us when we receive his Precious Body and Blood into our hearts and minds. He fills our cups with oil and keeps the light shining in the darkness in order for others to see. Thus, the only gateway to Jesus is to follow the light that burns every night near the tabernacle, which is called the sanctuary light. Let us be those sanctuary lights so that when the bridegroom comes, we too may go out and meet him.

God Breaks Through The Darkness

During Christmas Vigil, the manger was empty, the longest night was evident, and the people waited for God to come down. The celebrant, along with the altar servers, was processing in with songs of praise and incense rising to the rooftop. People were waiting for an answer to their darkness and difficult situations. The Word was being proclaimed as the people listen attentively; the Gospel was being chanted as the people listen attentively; the homily was preparing the people as the people listen attentively. Then, something extraordinary happen during the liturgy and God shined his light in the hearts of the people. 

The psalmist expressed the manifestation of God's glory in a beautiful image. He says, "In the morning you will see His Glory. The dawn from on high shall break upon us" (103:1). The soul praises God when he or she sees the Glory of God shining in his heart. After the homily, the celebrant calls the server to bring out that that was hidden before the beginning of time. The server has in his hand the infant Jesus, the Word made flesh. The people looked intently as the manger was empty and now is were once filled with God's presence among the people. 

The Prophet Isaiah once again tells the people in the liturgy to rise from their darkness and welcome once again the Word made flesh. He says, "Awake and put on the glorious garments--shake off the dust of the unclean and immorality”(Isaiah 51-52). Augustine too says, " Awake! For God became man. For how could there be peace on earth unless truth has arisen from the earth, that is, unless Christ were born of our flesh? And he is our peace who made two into one; that we might be men of good will, sweetly linked by the bond of unity."

The Word made it's dwelling when the people knelt before the infant Jesus. During the profession of faith, the people of God professed their faith and something extraordinary happen. The people along with the celebrant knelt from the opening until the part where it says, "And He came down from Heaven, and became man." This pivot moment became the experience for each individual to awake from their sleep, arise from their darkness, and allow the King of Kings to dwell in their hearts once again. This very moment prepared the heart of the person to allow Christ to come into their hearts with the final moment in the Eucharist. God, who was present in the Eucharist in a very humble way, enters the heart of the person and reveals his hidden Glory and presence to the person.

The Dwelling Place of God

The Apostle Paul talks about trials, distress, persecutions, and sins. He touches on key points that most people encounter on a daily basis in life; some of these people are bombarded with a deep darkness without any hope or faith in life. Look at what the Apostle Paul says, " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Paul has the assurance that God will comfort those who put their trust in Him. The darkness covers the person whenever God is no longer in the heart. At times, trials, tribulations, and spiritual battles can seem that God is not present or alive. These past weeks of Advent, there were scripture verses that elaborated on the Word of God. The prophet Isaiah speaks the Word of Lord by saying, "The heavens are my throne and earth is my footstool what kind of house shall you prepare for me. 

In the book of Psalms, the Psalmist believed that the dwelling place of God resided in the temple of Lord in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the place of focus and worship for the all the Israelites. They saw Jerusalem as the dwelling place of God's presence among them. However, the presence of God throughput the Israelites history remains on the outside of their lives. For instance, in psalm 102, he asks God to listen to his prayer in times of darkness and distress. His prayer and anguish was occurring within the person, and God was not within the depths of his heart. He cries out in humility for aid and he places his trust on the lord. He says, "O Lord, listen to my prayer." This statement is an expression of anguish and abandonment of the presence of God in times of trials and darkness. He goes on to say that he feels like "an owl in a desolate place, a pelican in the wilderness, and a lonely bird on a roof." The psalmist had not yet experience what most people experience today in the world. 

However, he has hope that the presence of God will once again appear before his very eyes. Now, he had no idea in which way the presence of God was going to be revealed and how it was going to be viewed or experienced by the individual. He says, " God will turn his face when his glory appears." Of course, the Israelites saw the glory of God through tangible signs, such as a pillar of fire, a cloud covering the sanctuary, and lightning and thunder descending from the heavens. Furthermore, the Psalmist continues to focus on the external presence of God because he states that God looks down from heaven to listen to the groans of the prisoners.

The prisoners are those who long to see the glory of God as the wait in hope for his coming. Isaiah prophesied that God would restore the desert into the Garden of Eden (51:1-11). He says, "joy and gladness shall be found in her. Then, the prophet utters out "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord." The psalmist too states, "Lower your heavens and come down; touch the mountains; wreath them in smoke. Flash your lightning; rout the foe, shoot your arrows and put them to flight. Reach down from heaven and save me; draw me out from the mighty waters, from the hands of alien foes, whose mouths are filled with lies, whose hands are raised in perjury" (psalm 144:1-10).

The Word of God spoke through the prophets in varies ways. Although the presence of God was manifested, God does something different during this Advent. He comes down from heaven in his word, who is Jesus Christ becoming man. He makes his presence known to man by announcing the Good News that he became man to dwell among us. Not as something external when the person sees the infant on the manger, but as an indwelling within the heart of the person. The indwelling takes place as soon as the person prepares his heart to welcome the living God who became vulnerable, humble, and an infant for the sake of each person.