Gospel Reflection- Trinity Sunday

Mk 16:15-20

The Easter season celebrates some of the most important events and beliefs in Christian tradition. In the last seven weeks, we have remembered Jesus’ Last Supper with his friends (regarded as the institution or establishment of the Eucharist); Jesus’ death on the cross; the discovery of the empty tomb on Easter Sunday; the appearances of the Risen Lord to his disciples; the Ascension into Heaven; and finally, the Holy Spirit filling the disciples at Pentecost. They are events that have shaped Christian belief for nearly 2,000 years. They provide the basis of beliefs and teachings such as: Christ present in the Eucharist; the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of resurrection for all people; the divinity of Jesus; and the ongoing action of the Holy Spirit in the world. The period of Easter-Pentecost celebrates these truly momentous events, beliefs and teachings. Almost to round off this extraordinary focus on Christian beliefs and teachings, the Church this week celebrates the central doctrine of Christian faith: the Trinity. The belief in the Trinity is the belief that there are three ‘persons’ in the one Godhead: Father; Son; and Holy Spirit. The understanding and articulation of this doctrine occurred over time and was not until well after the writing of the gospels and other New Testament letters. Consequently, there are no specific scriptural passages that identify explicitly the doctrine of the Trinity. This week’s Gospel passage, the commissioning of the disciples from the Gospel of Matthew is perhaps the closest any New Testament writer comes to an expression of the Trinity when Jesus instructs the disciples to baptise ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. The word ‘Trinity’ does not appear anywhere in the New Testament although one can certainly see the beginnings of ideas about a Trinitarian God. It was not until 325, at the Council of Nicea, that the doctrine of the trinity was established as being orthodox teaching. This council sought to officially define the relationship between the Father and the Son as a response to the arguments of Arius (later known as Arian heresy). The statement of beliefs developed by this council in 325 is the Creed (credo = I believe) that is used in Catholic churches around the world today.

Adapted from Greg Sunter

Confirmation

This Thursday, Confirmation candidates are reminded to attend Holy Trinity School hall at 5pm to decorate their stole with symbols of the Sacraments in preparation for Confirmation.

Next Thursday, 3 June, all Year 6 students will attend a retreat day at Holy Trinity Primary School to learn about the Sacrament of Confirmation and strengthen our connection as two schools within the same Parish.

  https://www.prayingwithchildren.org/1uc71ukn0.html

30/05/2021  Trinity Sunday

 Praying with Children is an online resource that is designed for families with children to use at home.

It includes an extract from the Sunday gospel, along with some reflection questions, family activities and a short video to watch.

Blessings,

Fron Garrett

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)