Understanding the Most Holy Trinity
Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of debates between Christians and non-Christians and while some apologists try to explain the Holy Trinity, I would like to share my thoughts on how I understand the Holy Trinity and perhaps it would be of use to those who would like to understand or explain this core concept of our God.
Let’s begin with a prayer:
ACT OF FAITH
O MY GOD, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.
The Trinity is One God in Three Divine Persons
The most confusing idea for non Christians is that God is Three Persons. They like to accuse Christians of worshipping three gods. Some argue from the mathematical point of view that 1+1+1=3 and the counter argument is 1X1x1=1. But, I don’t know if that does justice to understanding how three Persons can be One. So here is one visible thing that can explain the Holy Trinity.
The Color Green
Consider the color green. It is actually one color, but it consists of three colors: Yellow and Blue merge to form Green. One cannot separate the colors yellow and blue once they are united and form the green. This is three colors in one color.
Let’s take another example
The Holy Bible
What is the Bible? Is it a book or is it 73 books in one book? The truth is that the Holy Bible is one book, we can see it, when we read it, we know that one story runs through it, yet, it is not one book even though it is one book. It is made up of 73 books written across time by several writers under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Word of God itself shows us how One can be One and yet several of itself. We do not say three gods, we say Three Divine Persons in One God. And here with the Holy Bible we have an example of how something can exist as 73, and yet be one.
Let’s take an example which everyone can relate to
The Family
The family truly is the best example of understanding the Holy Trinity. In a family, we have the father, mother and children. The father is not the mother, the mother is not the child and the child is neither of its parents. Yet, each one is a person with equal dignity, joined together by love. The father and mother both generate the child, thus God has put His signature in the human family, where a husband and wife come together to build their family, their own little world, with children who are like them and even resemble them.
It is most beautiful to see your own likeness in the face of your child. Thus, when Jesus says to Philip, “Philip, he that seeth me seeth the Father also.” John 14:8-9, Our Lord truly is the Son of God not metaphorically, but truly He is the Son of God, resembling God in every way, sharing in the Divine Essence and Eternity where God the Father and God the Holy Spirit live and reign together forever.
Why is this important?
Understanding the Most Holy Trinity is important not just for Catholics but for all Christians, especially in this day when our own shepherds are out to please the world. There are those who will talk about the Abrahamic religions and just because some claim to pray to one god, they claim that they are praying to the same God as the God of the Holy Bible. Yet these people will reject the Divinity of Christ and acknowledge that their god has a different name from the Christian God, yet our own shepherds are willing to say that they pray to the One True God, Who is Trinity. Those who reject the Holy Trinity are not praying to the same God, as us Christians. Our Lord says, “Take heed that no man seduce you: For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ: and they will seduce many.” (Matthew 24:4-5) So be very careful that no one uses their power of office or sweet words to deceive you that Christians and non Christians pray to the same God.