Trinity and Complete Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, invite us to ponder the presence of Father, Son, and Spirit, as our path to Divine Interaction with our fullness of life.

Life and Love in the Trinity

The Reading from the Book of Exodus presents Renewal of the Tablets.

* [34:6] Gracious…fidelity: this succinct poetic description of God is an often-repeated statement of belief (see Nm 14:18; Ps 103:8; 145:8; Jl 2:13; Jon 4:2). All the terms describe God’s relationship to the covenant people. (Exodus, CHAPTER 34 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Passage from the Book of Daniel are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel.

* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures. (Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians is one of the clearest trinitarian passages in the New Testament.

* [13:11–13] These verses may have originally concluded 2 Cor 10–13, but they have nothing specifically to do with the material of that section. It is also possible to consider them a conclusion to the whole of 2 Corinthians in its present edited form. The exhortations are general, including a final appeal for peace in the community. The letter ends calmly, after its many storms, with the prospect of ecclesial unity and divine blessing. The final verse is one of the clearest trinitarian passages in the New Testament. (2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is in dialogue with Nicodemus.

* [3:16] Gave: as a gift in the incarnation, and also “over to death” in the crucifixion; cf. Rom 8:32.

* [3:17–19] Condemn: the Greek root means both judgment and condemnation. Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment; some condemn themselves by turning from the light.

* [3:19] Judgment is not only future but is partially realized here and now. (John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Larry Gillick, SJ, recalls verbally expressing love to his second girlfriend.

I could not say in words my experience love for dear Beverly, I was and am too conditional. My words never could have totally convinced her, I am sure. She would want to have clarity, surety and more explanations. God as Speaker, Revealer, Creator, says it and does so through this Spirit. The Speaker, the Urgency for expression and then the Word, creation. The Urgency is as infinite as the Speaker and the Spoken. The Trinity is One Love having a lot of work to do, including our accepting the ongoing, always creating and revealing of being so loved and created. God keeps saying It and the Spirit urges our acceptance.

Dear Beverly, she never could understand me, and maybe you don’t either. It is all mystery. Yes, God so loves the world that God sends His Son into the world to let us know who we are and what we are to reveal and create. (Gillick, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes The pledge of the Holy Spirit, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with His sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed His pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts" (excerpt from De Mysteriis 7, 42). (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9 invites on this feast of the Holy Trinity, that we celebrate the fact that God has revealed himself in such a moving way.

“Father, I praise you because you are always in control. Your plans can’t be deterred by the schemes of any enemy…

“Jesus, you revealed the humility of God when you came to us as a child under the authority of a mother and a father… 

“Holy Spirit, you are the glory of God who has been poured out to give us a glimpse of heaven. You are the One who transforms and comforts me…

“I praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!” (Meditation on Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Exodus we have the the episode in which God is revealed in front of Moses with the name of God.  God identified as merciful and gracious. Moses’ people are still necked and yet God is merciful to them. In the Letter to the Corinthians, we are urged to  live in peace as we model the persons of the Trinity. At the end of the message today, Paul gives the Trinitarian blessing in Corinthians. Paul now declares the trinitarian formula we understand, confirming Paul's belief in the Trinity. Chapter Three of the Gospel of John proclaims Jesus has come to save the world and reveal who God is and what He wants of us. We are invited to accept the person of Jesus whereby we are saved, and Friar Jude notes that if we choose rejection this condemns us to the loneliness of living without God.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, highlights the importance of developing an open, “beginner’s mind”. In the beginning contemplation is simply a practice of living with and looking out from our stable foundation in God, what we might call the Inner Witness. We have to be willing to see how attracted we are to negative, paranoid, oppositional, and even violent thinking. We start to wonder, Where did this come from? Why am I doing this?

We must be willing to question, “How could this little flimsy mind ever know God? How could it understand or even hold space for the great love or great suffering that enter every human life?” It will simply jump to the next thing because the dualistic mind is always moving toward resolution. It loves closure and rushes toward judgment. That’s why all great spiritual teachers said, “Do not judge.”  

To well-educated, dualistic thinkers, that just feels irresponsible. We have to make judgments, don’t we? Of course we do, especially when it comes to issues of justice and solidarity. But the first lens through which we receive a moment, a person, or a situation has to be nondual. I have to accept all parts of reality—that which I think I understand (and call good), and that which I don’t understand (and assume is bad). Sadly, most never go beyond that. Anything that they don’t yet understand is presumed to be wrong, dangerous, sinful, heretical, or even to be destroyed. (Rohr, n.d.)

We embrace the Trinity as the model of Love that is mystical, beyond complete understanding, and yet reassuring of the Divine Love offered for all people and Creation.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3?52 

Exodus, CHAPTER 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/34?4 

Gillick, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 31, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/ 

John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?16 

Meditation on Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 31, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/31/1581430/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Moving Beyond Our Binary Minds. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 31, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). God's Incredible Gift of Love for the World. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 31, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Corinthians, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/13?11 

Assess Authority in the Spirit

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to use Jesus' example to examine the fruit of the authorities who claim to be worthy guides.

Assess the Spirit in Rulers

The reading from the Letter of Jude presents Exhortations and a Doxology.

* [22] Have mercy: some manuscripts read “convince,” “confute,” or “reprove.” Others have “even though you waver” or “doubt” instead of who waver.

* [23] With fear: some manuscripts connect the phrase “with fear” with the imperative “save” or with the participle “snatching.” Other manuscripts omit the phrase “on others have mercy,” so that only two groups are envisioned. Rescue of those led astray and caution in the endeavor are both enjoined. Outer garment stained by the flesh: the imagery may come from Zec 3:3–5, just as that of snatching…out of the fire comes from Zec 3:2; the very garments of the godless are to be abhorred because of their contagion.

* [24–25] With this liturgical statement about the power of God to keep the faithful from stumbling, and praise to him through Jesus Christ, the letter reaches its conclusion by returning to the themes with which it began (Jude 1–2). (Jude, THE LETTER OF JUDE | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 63 expresses the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper.

* [Psalm 63] A Psalm expressing the intimate relationship between God and the worshiper. Separated from God (Ps 63:2), the psalmist longs for the divine life given in the Temple (Ps 63:3–6), which is based on a close relationship with God (Ps 63:7–9). May all my enemies be destroyed and God’s true worshipers continue in giving praise (Ps 63:10–11)! (Psalms, PSALM 63 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, the Authority of Jesus is questioned by religious leaders.

* [11:27–33] The mounting hostility toward Jesus came from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders (Mk 11:27); the Herodians and the Pharisees (Mk 12:13); and the Sadducees (Mk 12:18). By their rejection of God’s messengers, John the Baptist and Jesus, they incurred the divine judgment implied in Mk 11:27–33 and confirmed in the parable of the vineyard tenants (Mk 12:1–12). (Mark, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Elvin Cardoso, SJ, comments that there are moments when we avoid difficult truths because they threaten our comfort, reputation, or security. Like the religious leaders in the Gospel, we can become more concerned about protecting our position than listening to God’s voice. Sometimes we remain silent when courage is needed. Sometimes we ask questions not because we sincerely desire wisdom, but because we want to defend ourselves or preserve control.

 

The tragedy of the religious leaders was not that they questioned Jesus. In fact, their questions were understandable. Jesus had been teaching boldly, healing the sick, and challenging accepted practices. Any sincere leader would naturally seek understanding. The real problem was their motivation. Their hearts were closed. They were not searching for truth with humility and openness; they were trying to protect their authority and silence a perceived threat.

The Gospel invites us today to examine our hearts. Do I seek truth with humility, or do I resist it when it unsettles me? Do I ask questions in faith and love, or out of fear and defensiveness? (Cardoso, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Fearing the truth,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Fearing a stoning, but fearing more an admission of the truth, they answered the truth with a lie, reminiscent of the Scripture: 'injustice has lied within herself' (Psalm 27:12). For they said, 'We know not.' And because they had shut themselves up against him, by asserting that they did not know what they knew, the Lord did not open up to them because they did not knock. For it has been said, 'Knock and it will be opened to you' (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9). But they not only had not knocked that it might be opened, but by their denial they barricaded the door itself against themselves. And the Lord said to them, 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things' (Matthew 21:27; Mark 11:33; Luke 20:7). (excerpt from TRACTATE ON JOHN 2.9.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Jude 17, 20-25 comments that maybe, like those early Christians, we are apprehensive about unrest in the world around us. We love the Lord and want to follow him but might fear losing our way amid contradictory voices or teachers.

Don’t let these concerns overshadow your vision of who God is! Remember what Jude proclaims: God is the One who can keep you from stumbling. No matter what obstacles or pitfalls you face, he can bring you into his presence because he has all power and authority. He is greater than anything that can come against us. We have the grace of being children of God, beloved and held by the One who dwells in majesty and glory! We are in God’s hands, and he will not let us go.

“Lord, my God and Savior, to you be all glory and praise!” (Meditation on Jude 17, 20-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from the Letter of Jude has no chapter designation. It begins with verse 17 because the book is only one chapter. The letter of Jude examines the attitude we have towards those who have wavered and Jude warns us to take care not to soil ourselves but to give witness based on the love and mercy of Christ. The final doxology praises God forever. The cleverness of Jesus is presented in the Gospel of Mark as He responds to trick questions about the origin of His authority. If He responds that His authority is Human then His critics will claim it is not from God. If Jesus' authority is Divine He may be accused of blasphemy, and if Divine, why are religious leaders reluctant to follow Him? Cleverness was important in Jesus' time. A clever person was able to show knowledge and wisdom in difficult and dangerous situations. Friar Jude inquires about how clever we are in strategies to spend time with family and love others?

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Spiritual teacher Christine Valters Paintner who offers this prayer to the Spirit of creation and new life.

Spirit of Creation,
in the beginning you blew over the waters,
coaxing the earth up from the depths of the sea,
and inviting all creatures to rise up on their own wings.

Spirit of Renewing Life,
you breathed into me in my very first moment,
invigorate me with your gift of energy and newness.
Continue to breathe expansively in me,
inviting me to a vision for what is possible in my life.

Spirit of Restlessness,
stir me from my longing for comfort that so often stifles me,
help me to release from the places that keep me stuck,
and guide me in the direction you would have me go.

Spirit of the Great Winds,
help me to hear your voice in the midst of the whirlwind of my life.
Grant me the trust to hold on while I am being buffeted by life’s storms.

Blessings of wind be upon me.
May my sails billow wide,
May I breathe deeply the gift of inspiration,
May I be carried to the place of my resurrection,
May I be fully free. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Spirit to guide our examination of authority as we work to live with the love, mercy and cleverness of Jesus in our environment.

References

Cardoso, E. (2026, May 30). Daily Reflection May 30, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-30-2026 

Jude, THE LETTER OF JUDE | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jude/1? 

Mark, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/11?27 

Meditation on Jude 17, 20-25. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/30/1580984/ 

Psalms, PSALM 63 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/63? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Spirit of Aliveness: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/spirit-of-aliveness-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Gave You This Authority? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Faith Out Of Season

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to the challenge of bringing the Good News to an environment that is rejecting the call to bear the fruit of love and compassion.

Faith seeking to Bear Fruit

The Reading from the First Letter of Peter exhorts us to Christian Charity even during the Trial of Persecution.

* [4:7–11] The inner life of the eschatological community is outlined as the end (the parousia of Christ) and the judgment draws near in terms of seriousness, sobriety, prayer, and love expressed through hospitality and the use of one’s gifts for the glory of God and of Christ.

* [4:8] Love covers a multitude of sins: a maxim based on Prv 10:12; see also Ps 32:1; Jas 5:20.

* [4:11] Some scholars feel that this doxology concludes the part of the homily addressed specifically to the newly baptized, begun in 1 Pt 1:3; others that it concludes a baptismal liturgy. Such doxologies do occur within a New Testament letter, e.g., Rom 9:5. Some propose that 1 Pt 4:11 was an alternate ending, with 1 Pt 4:12–5:14 being read in places where persecution was more pressing. But such doxologies usually do not occur at the end of letters (the only examples are 2 Pt 3:18, Jude 25, and Rom 16:27, the last probably a liturgical insertion).

* [4:12–19] The suffering to which the author has already frequently referred is presented in more severe terms. This has led some scholars to see these verses as referring to an actual persecution. Others see the heightening of the language as only a rhetorical device used at the end of the letter to emphasize the suffering motif. (1 Peter, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 declares even inanimate creation is to offer praise to Israel’s God.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, CHAPTER 96 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Curses a Fig Tree, initiates a Cleansing of the Temple and returns to the Withered Fig Tree.

* [11:12–14] Jesus’ search for fruit on the fig tree recalls the prophets’ earlier use of this image to designate Israel; cf. Jer 8:13; 29:17; Jl 1:7; Hos 9:10, 16. Cursing the fig tree is a parable in action representing Jesus’ judgment (Mk 11:20) on barren Israel and the fate of Jerusalem for failing to receive his teaching; cf. Is 34:4; Hos 2:14; Lk 13:6–9.

* [11:15–19] See note on Mt 21:12–17.

* [11:26] This verse, which reads, “But if you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your transgressions,” is omitted in the best manuscripts. It was probably added by copyists under the influence of Mt 6:15. (Mark, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daily Reflections by Members of the Creighton University Community, who offer written reflections on the day’s Scripture readings are not available at publication time.

Don Schwager quotes “Attaining the fruit of mercy and goodness in the school of Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Some who witnessed Christ's miracles did not understand what they meant, and how they spoke to those who knew they had special meaning. They wondered only at the miracles themselves. Others both marveled at the miracles, and attained some preliminary understanding of them. For this we must come to the school of Christ himself. Those fixed only upon the plain sense of Scripture tend to focus merely upon miracle for miracles' sake. Hence they may prematurely conclude that Jesus himself was ignorant of the time of the year, something any ordinary farmer could discern. For it was not yet the season for the tree to bear fruit. Nevertheless, since he was hungry, he looked for fruit on the tree (Mark 11:13). Does this imply that Christ knew less than what every peasant could easily discern? Surely not. Wouldn't you expect the maker of the fig tree to know what the ordinary orchard worker would know in a snap? So when he was hungry he looked for fruit on the tree, but he seemed to be looking for something more from this tree. He noted that the tree had no fruit, but was full of leaves. It was at that point that he cursed it, and it withered away. So what terrible thing had the poor tree done simply in not bearing fruit? Could the tree reasonably be faulted for its fruitlessness? No. But human beings who by their own free will decide not to bear fruit - that is a different matter. Those found wanting in accountability in this case are those who had the benefit of the law, which was meant to bear fruit, but they had no fruit to show for it. They had a full growth of leaves (the law), yet they bore no fruit (works of mercy)." (excerpt from SERMONS ON NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS 48.3.16) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 11:11-26 comments that these examples of Jesus’ anger can be frightening. But remember the message behind the image: left to our own devices, we cannot bear fruit for the Lord. It is as we read in the Book of Isaiah, “We have all withered like leaves, and our crimes carry us away like the wind” (64:5). But just as Jesus entered the Temple, God has entered our story to set things right. He didn’t abandon us; instead, he gave his life for us. So yes, Jesus cursed the fruitless fig tree, but he replaced it with another tree, the cross. And that tree, planted in our hearts, has the power to bear “fruit that will remain” (John 15:16).

You are not a withered fruitless tree. Jesus came, and comes even today, not to curse us, but to save us and make us fruitful. By your Baptism you have his own divine life in you, and that life is capable of producing abundant, lasting fruit. No doubt you have already seen some of this fruit—perhaps in healed wounds, reconciled friendships, or growth in virtue. But Jesus is not done with you! He is always working to help you bear even more fruit.

“Lord Jesus, come into my life more deeply today so that I can bear fruit for you.” (Meditation on Mark 11:11-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in 1 Peter the theme is that the end is at hand and the disciples must be dedicated to the Lord. Like the Pauline parenesis, they are called to serve in love and hospitality and to perhaps have a trial of fire. Some will reject their message and try to punish them. They will accept that and accept the price to die to self to live for Christ. In the Gospel of Mark Chapter 11 the typical technique of the Marken sandwich interrupts the story of the figs by Jesus going to the Temple. In April, at Passover time, Jesus cursed the sellers at the temple. The animals are being sold in a very precious position making the Temple a den of thieves. The fig tree has died and withered because of the lack of faith like that lack of the Pharisees not bearing spiritual fruit. Jesus, like the fig tree, was out of season. As a humble servant the Pharisees failed to bear fruit. Friar Jude observes that the disciples do get it wrong initially, but realize who Jesus is at the Cross and get it right.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Brian McLaren who describes how the Holy Spirit empowers us to carry on Jesus’ work. Jesus describes the Spirit as another comforter, another teacher, another guide—just like him, but available to everyone, everywhere, always. The same Spirit who had descended like a dove upon him will descend upon us, he promises. The same Spirit who filled him will fill all who open their hearts….

At the core of Jesus’ life and message, then, was this good news: the Spirit of God, the Spirit of aliveness, the Wind-breath-fire-cloud-water-wine-dove Spirit who filled Jesus is on the move in our world. And that gives us a choice: do we dig in our heels, clench our fists, and live for our own agenda, or do we let go, let be, and let come … and so be taken up into the Spirit’s movement?…

When we open up space for the Spirit and let the Spirit fill that space within us, we begin to change, and we become agents of change…. So let us open our hearts. Let us dare believe that the Spirit that we read about in the Scriptures can move among us today, empowering us in our times so we can become agents in a global spiritual movement of justice, peace, and joy. (McLaren, n.d.)

We invoke the assistance of the Spirit when we witness to our faith in times and seasons beyond that authorized by the restrictions of society.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/11?11 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). The Spirit of Christ Within Us. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 29, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spirit-of-christ-within-us/ 

Meditation on Mark 11:11-26. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 29, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/29/1580451/ 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/4?7 

Psalms, CHAPTER 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?10 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Have Faith in God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 29, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/