FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is a basic doctrine of Faith in Christianity, understandable not with our heads but with our hearts. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature. Our mind cannot grasp this doctrine which teaches that 1+1+1=1 and not 3. But we believe in this Mystery because Jesus who is God taught it clearly, the Evangelists recorded it, the Fathers of the Church tried to explain it and the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople defend it as a dogma of Christian Faith.
Importance in Christian Life:
1. All prayers in the Church begin in the Name of the Holy Trinity and end glorifying the Trinity.
2. All Sacraments are administered (we are baptized, confirmed, anointed, our sins are forgiven and our marriage blessed, our Bishops, priests and deacons ordained) in the name of the Holy Trinity.
3. Church bells ring thrice daily, reminding us to pray to the Holy Trinity.
4. We bless ourselves, and the priest blesses us, in the name of the Holy Trinity.
Biblical Proofs: There are only vague and hidden references to the Trinity in the Old Testament. But the New Testament gives clear teachings on the Holy Trinity.
1. At. The Annunciation, God the Father sends His angel to Mary, God the Holy Spirit overshadows her and God the Son becomes incarnate in her womb.
2. At the baptism of Jesus, when the Son receives baptism from John the Baptist, the Father’s Voice is heard and the Holy Spirit appears as a Dove.
3. At the Ascension, Jesus gives the missionary command to his disciples to baptize those who believe, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Today’s feast invites us to live in the awareness of the presence of the Triune God within us: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is one of the most fundamental doctrines of Christianity and the greatest mystery of our Faith, namely, that there are Three Divine Persons, sharing the same Divine nature in one God. We have Father Who is the Creator, Son the Redeemer and Holy Spirit the Sanctifier and the Counselor. Today’s readings convey the fundamental mystery that the Triune God reaches out to people in love, seeking the deepest communion.
Life messages: 1. We need to respect ourselves and respect others. Our conviction of the presence of the Triune God within us should help us to esteem ourselves as God’s holy dwelling place, to behave well in His holy presence, and to lead purer lives as “Temples of the Holy Spirit.”
2. We need to be aware of God as the Source of our strength and courage. The awareness and conviction of the presence of God within us, gives us strength to face the problems of life with Christian courage.
3. We need to see the Trinity as the model for our Christian families: We are created in love to be a community of loving person, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in love.
4. We are called to become more like the Triune God through all our relationships: We are made in God’s image and likeness.”I am a Christian insofar as I live in a relationship of love with God and other people.”
Festival Meeting
The next festival meeting is Tuesday May 24th at 7pm in the Lebanon room. The festival is a parish event that involves a lot of time and preparation. Please consider helping to make this a successful event for our parish. The money raised by the festival helps St. Raymond’s throughout the year maintain the complex.
All help is greatly appreciated!
Kitchen Scoop
Mondays Rolling Cabbage @ 8:30 am
Tuesdays Making Kibbi Aras @ 8:30am
Wednesdays Preparing lunch 8am-11am and Serving lunch 11am-2pm.
Tuesday May 24th Rolling Grape Leaves @ 4:30pm. Please let Denise, Kathleen, or Gina know if you are able to join. We are in great need of grape leaves because Wednesday lunch is getting busier.
Liturgy Time Change
Beginning Sunday June 5th, there will only be one liturgy celebrated on Sundays at 10 am until the Fall. Saturday liturgy will remain at 5 pm.
Weekly Finances 5/15/16-5/22/16
Income:$2,802.00
Expenses:$4,526.85 (This includes complex utilities, landscaping, and Clergy NAM Convention)
Men’s Society Golf Tournament
On Sunday June 5th, the Men’s Society will be hosting their Annual Golf Tournament in Memory of Mike Buckley. The Golf Tournament will take place at Union Hills Golf Course. Registration and Sponsorship forms are available in the vestibule of the church. There is still availability, so please consider putting a team together. Any questions please contact Mike Rask.
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