Sharing life: If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

Facilitator reads focus statement: The Easter Season ended with the Feast of Pentecost. Now we return to Ordinary Time. Each year at this time, Ordinary Time begins with two Solemnities: the Most Holy Trinity and the Body and Blood of Christ. On this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, our readings give us some clues into the mysterious nature of God. In the first reading, God reveals himself to Moses as One who is faithful to his promises and rich in tenderness and compassion. In the second reading, Paul encourages the Corinthians to live in peace and love. The reading also contains a Trinitarian blessing. In the Gospel, John tells us that God has shown his love for us by sending his Son to save us all. All who believe in him will be saved.

If you have not read the commentary before your gathering, consider reading it before or after each reading.

FIRST READING: Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9

Chapter 34 of Exodus is the story of the second giving of the Law (The Ten Commandments) after the people of Israel broke covenant with God by worshipping the golden calf. Moses is asked by God to bring a second set of blank stone tablets up the mountain. Another backdrop to this reading is that Moses had asked to see God face to face -- a request that was denied. But God did allow Moses to experience a "little glimpse" of his nature. God reveals himself to Moses as One who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, rich in kindness and fidelity. It will be very important for the Israelites (and us) to remember that God in his essence is filled with compassion. Moses responds by bowing down before such a kind and merciful God. Then Moses says: "Boy, do we ever need a God like you! This stiff-necked people will need a lot of mercy. Please join us on our journey through the desert."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Daniel 3:52-56

These verses are a song of praise to God by the three virtuous young Jewish leaders in Babylon whom the King had thrown in a fiery furnace because of their refusal to worship a golden idol at his command. There is a contrast between their faithfulness to God and the infidelity of the Israelites who did worship the golden calf. More importantly the psalm is a good example of a song of praise to a God who saves his people. The three young men are protected by God in the burning furnace and sing his praises.

SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

This brief reading was chosen for today’s solemnity because of its concluding verse, which contains a Trinitarian greeting. The reading begins with an exhortation to the contentious Corinthians to "mend their ways" and to live in peace and harmony with each other.

GOSPEL: John 3:16-18

These verses are taken from the end of a long discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus about rebirth through water and the Spirit. These well known verses summarize the very essence of the Good News. Commenting on this text, Patricia Sanchez writes, "This text encapsulates the very essence of the Good News. First, these words underscore the truth that the initiative for our salvation lies with God. "He gave his only Son." Second, these verses bear witness to God’s motivation for all his salvific actions, namely, love: "God so loved..." Third, John made it clear that the scope of God’s loving and saving initiative was universal: "God so loved the world..." Fourth, the proclamation of the good news outlines the purpose of the Son’s mission: "God did not send the Son . . . to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him and may enjoy eternal life." Our response to this offer of salvation will, however, determine our end -- heaven (which begins here when we begin a relationship with God) or eternal condemnation.

In the Trinitarian experience, which is Christian existence, a loving God sends forth his Son to save sinners. By the power of the abiding Spirit, believing sinners continue to know both the saving power of the Son and the loving grace of the Father and to share with them, the present joy and future promise of eternal life.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1. What verse or image spoke to you and why?

2. Moses speaks about seeing the face of God. Who most reveals to you the face of God?

3. In the second reading, Paul encourages us to live in peace with one another. What helps and hinders people from living this message?

4. The gospel seems to indicate that those who fail to believe in Jesus will be condemned. Do you believe this?

5. How would you go about explaining the Christian belief in a God with a trinity of persons?

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Name one way you can act on today’s readings. Suggestion: This week contemplate the beautiful belief that we are human tabernacles of the Holy Trinity. At baptism, we were baptized into the Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- the Most Holy Trinity.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION

Especially pray for the grace to get rid of any destructive images of God that you may still be carrying around with you. ©

Lectionary Resource: For those who need to dig a little deeper into the Sunday readings, I suggest the book Breaking Open the Lectionary by Margaret Nutting Ralph, Paulist Press. $20.