from 365 days with the Lord - talk for Patricians July 2014 meeting on The Holy Trinity, Mary and John the Baptist

from 365 days with the Lord - talk for Patricians July 2014 meeting on The Holy Trinity, Mary and John the Baptist “The Most Holy Trinity meets in council, from which comes out the decree: ‘Let us make man according to our image and likeness.’ Mary Most Holy, in God’s mind, is thought of as the masterpiece of creation.” (VH, q.1) 1 “… the divine motherhood of Mary is a truth of the Church’s faith. Mary is Theotokos, the ‘Bearer of God’, the Mother of God, since by the power of the Holy Spirit she conceived in her virginal womb and brought into the world Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is one in being with the Father.” 2 God is the Father who creates the world, with man and woman as the crown of creation. When humanity falls, the Father sends his Son who becomes incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth. God also sends the Holy Spirit upon Jesus, and in his resurrection from the dead, sends the Spirit, ‘Lord and giver of Life’, on all believers. 3 The divine persons are distinct from one another, but are bound together in . The Son accepts to become a human being in loving obedience to the will of the Father who wishes that men and women be saved through him. The Son does not hold on to his equality with God, but empties himself, coming inhuman likeness (cf Phil 2:6-7) Upon completion of the Son’s mission on earth, the Father sends the Holy Spirit in the name of the Son.. The Spirit does not speak in his own, but takes what is the Son’s and declares it to the disciples. Here we see that in divine “triumvirate”, each person is attuned to the two others in loving and perfect harmony. 4 “… After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 5 Jesus tells his disciples that his absence (after his Ascension) will redound to their benefit … h will prepare “dwelling places” for them in the Father’s kingdom. Moreover, it is by his going away that the Holy Spirit will come, sent by the the Father as their consoler. 6 EVERYONE WHO ASKS, RECEIVES. “… the heavenly Father knows what we need even before we ask him (cf Mt 6:8) …” - not an excuse from praying, seeking, knocking He gives the greatest of His Gifts: the Holy Spirit life’s decisions (good over bad) > success Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, know ledge, faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment, gift of tongues 7 In Jesus’ resurrection, his disciples realize that he was not making empty claims when he called God his Father. He indeed is the Son of God, raised by the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s Prayer of Blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God [the Father] and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 8