With Opened Bible

"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." (Exodus 34, 6)

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity reminds us each year that the salvation of the world is the work of one God in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a union of love, generosity, faithfulness, and forgiveness that invites us to marvel at God's profound mystery. This Triune God revealed himself gradually, era after era, until the realization of his spiritual family: the Church. Let us explore this great mystery a little through a title shared by the three persons: Lord.

First and foremost, we must remember that the word 'Trinity,' like the word 'Church' or 'incarnation,' is not part of Christian vocabulary. It is a Latin linguistic borrowing used to express a reality that surpasses human understanding but can be grasped in the light of biblical revelations. Trinity (three Unities) does not have the same meaning as the word 'Triad' (three different characters with shared emotions). Trinity signifies three manifestations of the same reality: one Creator God who saves in his Son and sanctifies through his Spirit. In the first reading for this Sunday, the sacred author offers us a way to understand and spiritually grasp this reality: 'The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.' (Exodus 34:6) This title 'Lord' reflects God's self-revelation and is shared by the three persons, helping us see their unity.

First, the title "Lord" (Adon in Hebrew) refers to the God who created and saved Israel: "The Lord our God, the Lord is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4) Second, this title also refers to the Son of God who suffered so that humanity might be redeemed: "Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:11) And finally, this title "Lord" is attributed to the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Life and sanctifier of souls: "Now the Lord is the "Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Having said this, we can understand the declaration of Saint John in the Gospel: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). God so loves us by offering the Son, who in turn gives us the Holy Spirit. In short, it is the Trinity that saves us. Saint Paul confirms this in these words: "one body and one Spirit, as you were called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). They are not three lords, but one.