by Matthew
Modern Man worships Scientism. Scientism is an idolatrous belief that only that which can be scientifically measured can be trusted. Scientism rejects the Divine and reduces Man to molecules. Rejecting the Divine, Man becomes obsessively Selfish, pursuing rampant materialism and living to feed the passions. Embracing selfishness, Man lives a walking Death, empty, with broken relationships, isolation, addiction, emotional turmoil, ill health and the loss of hope of Heaven.
In contrast to false knowledge of Scientism, Jesus reveals the Mystery of the Trinity. A mystery is a reality that cannot be explained by reason (i.e. Scientism) but is only revealed by God (cf. CCC 237). The Trinity is a profound mystery that can never be fully grasped by humans (cf. Vatican I: De Fide cath., iv.). In contrast to the Selfishness of Man, Jesus reveals that God is Love (1 John 4:8) and there is a Perfection of Love in the Trinity (CCC 221). Jesus reveals that by accepting the Grace of faith in the Mystery of the Trinity, Man is transformed by Love, saved from the Death of sin and given eternal Life in unity with the Trinity (CCC 260, 1024).
The Trinity is One (CCC 253) – “Not three gods, but One God in three persons.” “The three persons do not share the one divinity, but each of them is God whole and entire.” Each of the Three Persons is “consubstantial” (i.e. of the same substance), having the same Divine Essence or Divine Nature.
The Divine Persons are really distinct from one another (CCC 254) – “God is one, but not solitary.” The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not just “modes” of the one God; they really are three separate persons. The Persons of the Trinity are revealed throughout Scripture:
The Divine Persons are relative to each other (CCC 255) – “Not divided in Unity” “…the real distinction of the persons from one another resides solely in the relations which relate them to one another…”
God reveals His love in the relationship of the Three Persons so we can know, love and imitate the love of the Trinity in our hearts and families:
The Trinity permeates the Life of Faith – While the word “Trinity” does not appear in Scripture, the Holy Trinity is a revealed Truth that permeates the Catholic Faith (CCC 261). For example:
Working as One, each Person of the Trinity plays a role in salvation – God purposefully reveals the work of each of the Three Persons in Scripture. God the Father is the Creator of heaven and earth (Gen 1:1; CCC 279), working together with the Son and the Spirit; “Creation is the common work of the Holy Trinity” (CCC 292). The Son’s divine mission in the Incarnation is as the Redeemer (Gal 4:4-5), “anointed [by the Father] with the Holy Spirit” (CCC 453). The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier: “God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying ‘Abba! Father!’” (Gal 4:6). The Spirit draws us to life in the Father and the Son (CCC 683).
Man is raised to new life in the Trinity – “In the communion of grace with the Trinity, man’s living area is broadened and raised up to the supernatural level of Divine life. Man lives in God and by God” (John Paul II; General Audience 9/20/00). In this new life, every Catholic is called to evangelize the world to draw all people into the life of the Trinity (CCC 849-856).
Follow us: