My Dear People, 

It is the Holy Spirit which allows us to fully understand the truth revealed by Christ. As Vatican II teaches, our Lord “completed and perfected Revelation and confirmed…finally by sending the Holy Spirit of truth” (Vatican II Dei Verbum). Here, Jesus Christ reveals some  aspects of the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.   

He teaches that the three divine Persons have the same nature when He says, “Everything the Father has, belongs to the Son, and everything the Son has belongs to the Father” (cf. Jn. 17:10); and the Spirit also has what is common to the Father and the Son, that is, divine essence. The activity specific to the Holy Spirit is that of glorifying Christ, and, reminding and clarifying for the Disciples everything the Master taught them (cf. John. 16:13). On being inspired by the Holy Spirit to recognize the Father through the Son, men render glory to Christ. Glorifying Christ is the same as giving glory to God (cf. John 17: 1,3-5. 10).

The Gospel explains the relationship between the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit by relating all three to the teachings of Jesus. The Spirit will fill the void caused by Jesus’ absence, not so much with a presence as with a form of teaching. It will be through the unfolding of this teaching that the Spirit will glorify Jesus, and reveal Him to be the chosen one of God. It was from the Father that the Spirit heard the teachings of Jesus, and it was also from the Father that the Spirit was sent to bring these teachings to fruition. The Spirit glorifies Jesus by bringing to light the deeper truth of His teaching, teachings that also belong to God. 

The mystery of the Trinity is central to our faith.  Our God is one and yet three in one. No matter which way you say it, the mystery doesn’t become any more comprehensible or less baffling. At the heart of this mystery is the reality of our loving God who created our world and all the worlds beyond ours. He has given us generous access by the gift of faith in Jesus Christ and has poured divine love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the first gift to us at Baptism. 

When we make the sign of the cross, we are calling on the Trinity. Often we do it hurriedly and without paying attention. Think upon this gesture you are making and let us do it with meaning and reflection.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Vincent Clemente