Opening Prayer Series: Collect for Trinity Sunday Yr B

The Collect for Trinity Sunday Year B reads as follows:

Let us pray,

God our Father, who by sending into the world

The Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification,

made known to the human race Your wondrous mystery,

grant us, we pray,that in professing the true faith,

we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory,

and adore Your unity, powerful in majesty.

through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What is my relationship with the Trinity?
2. How might I appreciate this mystery of the Trinity during this coming week?
3. How might I support my faith in the Trinity in my life ( eg make the sign of the Cross with more thought/reverance).
4. How can I give honour to the Trinity in my life this week ( eg first part of the day offer my thoughts/ words, actions and sufferings to Father God, afternoon to Jesus His Son, and the evening to Holy Spirit?

Today's Gospel provides us with the blueprint of the mission of the Church to us given by Jesus, namely to:

•  To make disciples of all the nations
• Baptise them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
• Teach them to keep the commandments.

We are follow this blueprint not under our own power or ability, No, rather we have the promise that Jesus has given us that He is with us always until the end of time. Knowing that Jesus is with us always means that we can follow out His mission in His name knowling that we are doing it in His name and under His influence.

This is important because Catholics generally seem to be reluctant to evangelise. We dont wish to be considered as bible bashers or perhaps with Catholic bashing in the media generally, we have become more worn down in our efforts to bring souls to Christ. Perhaps we have become afraid and have given into these real fears, but have fallen prey to the tempter's wiles. Satan does not want us to bring anyone to Christ, nor does he wish us to grow in holiness. He is definitely not in favour of Christ's mission to the Church.

However we must follow Jesus and follow His blueprint.  We may not do this in any spectacular way, but in our day to day dealings with family, parishioners, work colleagues. We can teach them to keep the commandments by keeping the commandments ourselves. Example of a well lived life in the way of Jesus is often the best teacher. Sometimes in this situation, we do not have to say a word since actions often speak louder than words.  However, as catholics, we must be prepared to speak up for our faith as well, and when the occassion demands, be prepared to suffer for our faith.  However, we must remember what Jesus Himself tells us "I am with you always, yes until the end of time"'. Surely, with that encouragement from Jesus, we may make an effort this coming week to carry out the mission of the Church in our own circumstances of life.

May the blessing of Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you today and throughout this coming week.