In unity with the Trinity

The story is told about a baby snake who nervously asked its mother: “Mom, are we poisonous?” When the mother, noting the worried look in its eyes, asked why, the baby snake replied: “I just bit my tongue!”

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Today we observe the Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity. We belong to the holy union of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We share in their life and love overflowing, and because of this, there is no poison in our blood, and there should be light, not darkness, in our hearts. It is good to remind ourselves again and again: We are not poisonous!

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In today’s Gospel (Jn. 16, 12-15), Jesus tells His disciples that the Spirit of truth will guide them throughout everything that will come. It is through the Holy Spirit that we will truly understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity. It is also through the Holy Spirit that we will truly live the mystery and the reality of the Holy Trinity in our lives. Let our constant prayer be: “Come, Holy Spirit!” And let our life vision and mission be: “Lord, thy kingdom come!”

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We need to follow the Trinitarian spirit of peace, integration, respect, and reaching out for true and lasting peace. The elections are over. Now is the time for healing and moving on. Now is the time for reaching out, and searching deep for good and able coworkers in the new administration. Otherwise, we will be firmly back in partisan and patronage politics once again.

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“Nolite timere. Aperite portas Christo.” (Do not be afraid. Open the doors for Christ.) These words of St. John Paul II should give courage to us to continue the Trinitarian spirit of unity, dialogue, listening and reaching out. In other words, we must go beyond our comfort zones and self-centeredness. This same Trinitarian spirit is being echoed today by Pope Francis, who calls for humble service as we follow our God who is full of mercy and compassion. Like the Trinity that constantly reaches out in love, we, too, must not stop growing, loving and caring.

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The Trinitarian spirit should start in homes and families. I read this passage in Wadowice, Poland, where St. John Paul II was born: “With filial affection, I embrace the threshold of the home of my birth, giving thanks to Divine Providence for the gift of life passed on to me by my beloved parents, for the warmth of the family, the love of my dear ones…”—Pope John Paul II. May the Trinitarian spirit dwell in our families and friends.

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On a personal note, I was happy to read at the St. John Paul II museum in Wadowice what Mama always told us since we were children about the value of sufferings: “Joy and pain, thorns and roses intertwine in our lives. May the Blessed Virgin Mary teach us to turn this lot—which often leads us to the foot of the cross along with her—into our merit.”—St. John Paul II. Yes, if we live in the Trinity, even trials and sufferings have meaning and value. Sufferings are a tremendous source of grace and blessings.

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I would like to share this text message I received, which underlines the self-giving and life-giving spirit of the Trinity: “Nothing in nature lives for itself. Rivers don’t drink their own water. Trees don’t eat their own fruit. The sun doesn’t shine for itself. A flower’s fragrance is not for itself. Living for each other is the rule of nature.” Let us learn from Mother Nature and from the Most Blessed Trinity to share blessings with others, and not to be selfish and greedy.

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Think about this: “Take risks in your life. If you win, you can lead; if you lose, you can guide. Take risks and conquer your fears; God Himself will lead you and be your guide.”

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Fr. Rogelio “Roger” Alasan, SVD, who served the Most Blessed Trinity as a missionary priest, went home to the Father last May 17 at the age of 71. Father Roger, a humble and prayerful missionary, dedicated the last years of his life to his duties as chaplain of the Holy Name University Medical Center in Tagbilaran, Bohol.

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Bantay Matanda invites you to a lay forum on “Understanding Muscle Loss in the Elderly” at the Tuklong ni San Jose, Christ the King Mission Seminary, E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City, on May 28, 9 a.m.-12 noon. For inquiries, please contact 3732262, 9982548, or 0917-4167849.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, may we live our lives in the spirit of the Trinity, so full of love and unity. Amen.