Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday 2009


As a catechist, I explain to teens about the Trinitarian nature of God in a simplistic way. I simply ask them to think of their mother. While never essentially changing anything about herself, she takes on the role of one’s mother, while at the same time being daughter to her parents, and wife to her husband. She is one person with three primary roles, and she keeps loving and giving of herself in each of those roles. The same can be said for God. Trinity Sunday invites us into a deepening relationship with God the Father, through, with, and in the Son, whose power in the Spirit remains with us in the world to the end.

In Deuteronomy, we hear Moses telling the people, “you must know, and fix in your heart, that ht Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other.” He explains to them that God’s work in the world is concrete and visible and rooted in the ordinariness of our lives. Paul writes to the Romans to remind them that if they are led by God’s Spirit they have become full heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Paul tells us that a full relationship is open to us all. Full life with God is not only available to the Jews, but it is fully offered to anyone who receives the Spirit. The Gospel reveals to us that even despite our doubt in him, Jesus will be with us always. God’s Trinitarian love has saved us and has removed our obstacles to a full life of grace. If we only look back at our individual and collective history, we will see the ways in which God’s presence continues to create us, save us, and give us new life. God’s love of us perfects us. Let us spend some quality time in prayer this week to give thanks to God for calling us deeper into the divine life.


Themes for this Week’s Masses

As we are united with God’s Trinitarian expression of love for us, we are called to live a life that reflects this relational love. This week’s Gospel passages from Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount outline our counter-cultural behavior that arises from our commitment to Christ. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians serves a similar purpose – encouraging them to be compassionate despite the sufferings of the world, to be faithful because God is faithful to us, and to live in the freedom of Christ that his fidelity has won for us.

Saints of the Week

The Mesopotamian deacon Ephrem is honored on Tuesday for his scriptural commentaries and hymns. He was the first to introduce hymns into public worship and he is known for using music and poetry to evangelize. As my liturgy professors often quoted, “people don’t walk out of church humming the homily.” Barnabas is honored on Thursday as he was a huge biblical figure who mentored and worked alongside Paul in building up the early Mediterranean churches. A skilled reconciler, he changed his name to Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” On Saturday, we remember Anthony of Padua, whose name is invoked when searching for lost objects. The Portuguese Franciscan preached in northern Italy and drew enormous crowds to the faith as new converts.

KAIROS Reunion

A reunion of all the KAIROS participants from 2001-2009 will be held at the Rockcraft Retreat Center on Sebago Lake on Thursday, June 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $30.00. It is a good time to renew the graces of the retreat and to be with friends who share the same passion for their experience. All are welcome. If you know anyone from KAIROS I-IV, please send this email to them so they know they are welcome.

Retreat for First Year Teachers

Teachers who have completed their first few years of service at Cheverus and Boston College High School gather at the Craigville Retreat House in Centerville, Cape Cod this week to process their first years as an Ignatian educator. Prayer time, bonding, and sharing stories of successes and failures are important aspects of this retreat time on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

School’s Out

Final exams are over and the students move off to their summer plans of rest, relaxation, exercise, and continued recreational study. Blessings upon all our students and parents for your summer break. Stay in touch with us and please refer other potential students to come to Cheverus. We want to share the good stuff that we have with all of you. Cheverus is a lifetime investment.