Welcome to our Bible Study June 15, 2014 Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity A In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1 st reading: Exodus 34,4b Early the next morning, Moses went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. 5 Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with him there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." 6 Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” 8 Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. 9 Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own." The focus is on God the Father.

1 st reading: Exodus 34,4b Moses 4 Early the next morning, Moses went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. The Lord 5 Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with him there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." 6 Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” Moses 8 Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. 9 Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own." A simple outline!

1 st reading: Exodus 34,4b Moses 4 Early the next morning, Moses went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. The Lord 5 Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with him there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." 6 Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” Moses 8 Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. 9 Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own." Commentary In v.4, Moses obeys God and he goes up to the mountain to meet him. In v.5, God comes down, stands with Moses and proclaims his name, “Lord.” In v.6, the Lord declares himself to be a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. In v.8, Moses acknowledges God by showing a sign of reverence. In v.9, Moses asks a favor from God. He invites him to go to his people (though stiff-necked) and to pardon their sins and to receive them as his own. Here, Moses intercedes for his people.

Reflections on the 1 st reading God is forgiving to his wayward people. Though he can be turned off, like a human being, by the unbecoming behavior of his chosen people, God can still be patient and understanding. The text is an invitation to all of us, sinners, to go back to him. No one should be afraid to turn back to him. God is merciful.

Resp. Ps. Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever! R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever! 52 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; 53 And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. 52 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; 53 And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. 54 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. 54 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. 55 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 55 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 56 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 56 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Resp. Ps. Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever! R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever! 52 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; 53 And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. 52 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; 53 And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. 54 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. 54 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. 55 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 55 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 56 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. 56 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. Commentary The responsorial psalm comes not from the book of Psalms, but from the book of Daniel. It is a psalm / prayer blessing and praising God. Each verse repeats, “praiseworthy and exalted above all forever / for all ages. Vv see God as the God of their history (fathers), with his holy and glorious name. Vv state where God is praised: In the temple On the throne of his kingdom On the throne upon the cherubim

Reflection on the Psalm The purpose of our life is not just to eat and drink, but to give praise to the Lord. It is unbecoming of us if we don’t recognize God’s power and glory. We should spend our prime time acknowledging his majesty.

2 nd reading: 2 Corinthians 13, Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you. The focus is on the Trinity.

2 nd reading: 2 Corinthians 13,11-13 Exhortations 11 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. Greetings 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you. A simple outline!

2 nd reading: 2 Corinthians 13,11-13 Exhortations 11 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. Greetings 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.Commentary Vv give exhortations. Vv give exhortations. Rejoice Mend your ways Encourage one another Live in peace. Greet one another… Only two sentences in vv are not in the imperative mood. Only two sentences in vv are not in the imperative mood. The God of love and peace will be with you. All the holy ones greet you. In v.13, Paul greets the Corinthians. The liturgy has adopted this formula in the greetings at the beginning of the mass. In v.13, Paul greets the Corinthians. The liturgy has adopted this formula in the greetings at the beginning of the mass.

Reflections on the 2 nd reading St. Paul, the author, expresses his fatherly concern to the Christians in Corinth. As a missionary, preacher and teacher, he reminds them of the good Christian behaviors. The recommended Christian behaviors are useful for the building up of the Christian community in Corinth. We, Christians, living at the present age, need also to exhibit good behavior towards others. We remind ourselves to be: joyful and peaceable. We acknowledge the presence of each one, by wishing them well, in the name of the Holy Trinity.

Gospel reading: John 3, For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. The focus is on the Father and the Son.

Gospel reading: John 3,16-18 God’s salvific love 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Man’s faith-response 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. A simple outline!

Gospel reading: John 3,16-18 God’s salvific love 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Man’s faith-response 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.Commentary V.16 affirms God’s love to the world. V.16 affirms God’s love to the world. It is not just an ordinary love. It is not just an ordinary love. It is a passionate love, as indicated in the phrase “God so loved…” It is a passionate love, as indicated in the phrase “God so loved…” It is also indicated by the fact that he gives his only Son. It is also indicated by the fact that he gives his only Son. His Son is not an ordinary gift. His Son is not an ordinary gift. It is a total gift of Himself. It is a total gift of Himself. Faith in him brings about life eternal, not perdition. Faith in him brings about life eternal, not perdition. V.17 reinforces God’s purpose for sending his Son: that the world might be saved through him, not to condemn it. V.17 reinforces God’s purpose for sending his Son: that the world might be saved through him, not to condemn it. Notice here that the world represents humans, not the world that is opposed to God. Notice here that the world represents humans, not the world that is opposed to God.

Gospel reading: John 3,16-18 God’s salvific love 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Man’s faith-response 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. V.18 makes an encouraging statement to those, who want eternal life and salvation. V.18 makes an encouraging statement to those, who want eternal life and salvation. All they have to do is to believe in the Son. All they have to do is to believe in the Son. V.18 also mentions about those who don’t believe and what happens to them: condemnation. V.18 also mentions about those who don’t believe and what happens to them: condemnation. Those who don’t believe are predestined to be condemned, because they have not believed in the first place. Those who don’t believe are predestined to be condemned, because they have not believed in the first place. It is a big mistake not to believe in the only Son of God. It is a big mistake not to believe in the only Son of God.

Reflections on the gospel reading loving The gospel reading states God’s loving purpose to the world (humanity): eternal life. What the world (humanity) needs to do is to believe (accept) in the only Son of God, who comes precisely to save us. Those who miss the point (purpose) of God has devastating effect: perdition, condemnation, no hope. Listeners of this gospel message should take seriously God’s Son.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The The first reading reading encourages the people (sinners) to have hope in God because he is a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. The responsorial psalm exhorts us to praise God in his house. The The second reading reading encourages good Christian behavior. The Christian must be positive in his dealings with other people. Christians must be saints (holy). The The gospel reading reading encourages the readers and listeners (sinners) to believe in Jesus in order to have life eternal.

How to develop your homily / sharing What is the meaning of the Holy Trinity to us? What is the meaning of the Holy Trinity to us? The Father is a merciful God, who gives consideration to sinners (stiff-necked people). (1 st reading) The Father is a merciful God, who gives consideration to sinners (stiff-necked people). (1 st reading) The Son is a gift of God, and when received (believed), he brings us to salvation. (gospel) The Son is a gift of God, and when received (believed), he brings us to salvation. (gospel) Real believers of Jesus will necessarily exhibit inspiring behavior to other people. (2 nd reading) Real believers of Jesus will necessarily exhibit inspiring behavior to other people. (2 nd reading) Where is the Holy Spirit? We know him together with the Father and the Son in the second reading. Where is the Holy Spirit? We know him together with the Father and the Son in the second reading.

We can develop the meaning of the greeting, v.13, in the second reading: We can develop the meaning of the greeting, v.13, in the second reading: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.” The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: charis, favor The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: charis, favor The love of God: agape, love, the highest Christian virtue The love of God: agape, love, the highest Christian virtue The fellowship of the Holy Spirit: koinonia, participation, sharing The fellowship of the Holy Spirit: koinonia, participation, sharing What more can we ask if we have them all as desired in this greeting? What more can we ask if we have them all as desired in this greeting? This is the Christian greeting par excellence, rightly considered by the liturgists, who put it at the start of the Mass. This is the Christian greeting par excellence, rightly considered by the liturgists, who put it at the start of the Mass.

If the triune God is with us and if we are filled with the gifts, which each person of the Trinity gives us, there is nothing more to ask. If the triune God is with us and if we are filled with the gifts, which each person of the Trinity gives us, there is nothing more to ask. This is what we call the fullness of life. This is what we call the fullness of life. Our hearts cannot but rejoice and be thankful. Our hearts cannot but rejoice and be thankful. Our minds cannot but put God and his gifts into our memory. We live and grow in pleasant memories. Our minds cannot but put God and his gifts into our memory. We live and grow in pleasant memories. Our souls cannot but soar up into heaven, our true home, which can be anticipated now through our proper Christian behavior. Our souls cannot but soar up into heaven, our true home, which can be anticipated now through our proper Christian behavior.

We, Catholics, believe in the Holy Trinity. We, Catholics, believe in the Holy Trinity. We must be the luckiest and the happiest believers in the world. We must be the luckiest and the happiest believers in the world. We are Trinitarians, who believe in a super gracious and merciful God. We are Trinitarians, who believe in a super gracious and merciful God. As Trinitarians, we live our faith by making the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of our prayers and liturgies. As Trinitarians, we live our faith by making the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of our prayers and liturgies. We are baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. We are baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity.

In the eucharist, we affirm our faith in the Trinity. In the eucharist, we affirm our faith in the Trinity. In the eucharist, we give glory to the Holy Trinity. In the eucharist, we give glory to the Holy Trinity. The eucharist strengthens our belief in the Holy Trinity, the holy Community, that makes us holy as a community. The eucharist strengthens our belief in the Holy Trinity, the holy Community, that makes us holy as a community. In the eucharist, we participate in the life of the Trinity. In the eucharist, we participate in the life of the Trinity.

Our Context of Sin and Grace No faith in the Triune God No faith in the merciful God Does not celebrate Does not acknowledge God’s greatness Does not relate Does not communicate Trinitarian faith Trinitarian faith Faith that leads to community life Faith that leads to community life Faith that leads to thankfulness and celebration Faith that leads to thankfulness and celebration Living in the mystery of the Trinity Living in the mystery of the Trinity

Suggested Songs God Father Praise and Glory God Father Praise and Glory The Living God by Sebastian Temple The Living God by Sebastian Temple