The Heavenly Trinity joined to the Earthly Trinity through the Incarnation of the Son, Bartolome Murillo, c. 1677

I want to preach to you today about three trials in life that we all must face:

First, let me preach about our trials before others. I relate to other persons, and in relating, I hope for a wholesome give-and-take. But because we are not perfect there can be misunderstandings, and the other person can even try to use me for some personal gain. Or I try to use the other person for my personal gain. And so the trial before the other begins.

Second, let me preach about the trial within me. I put my own self on trial, asking if in the first trial before others, was I at-fault? Do I need to forgive from the heart, or should I ask forgiveness? Have I been jealous, envious? Are there signs of anger, perhaps even hatred? What other trials are within me?

Finally, let me preach to you today about the trials of life that must go directly before God. God is all-knowing of course! Like the first Adam, I cannot hide from God. During this past year-plus, the All-Knowing God witness all that went on, permitted it all to happen, even death itself. His reasons are His and not for me to know.

But I must take the trials of this, too, and place them all before Him! Saint Paul’s words apply: Christ suffered so that we suffer with Him, and also be glorified with Him (Romans 8). Consider also, today, the words of the Psalmist: “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him … our soul waits for the Lord, Who is our help and our shield (Psalm 33).”

In our Mass for the Most Holy Trinity, we are, all here, present right amid the trials of life. The Trinity of God shows us, however, that life itself is bigger than our trials before others, or even within ourselves. God is one in nature, and three Divine Persons — equal and yet undivided — like the equilateral triangle or like St. Patrick’s three leaf clover: three, equal leaves in every way but one clover.

Let us, in deep and humble Faith, place our trials of this earthly life before our Divine Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let us offer on this altar the Holy Sacrifice of the Son of God to God our Father. Then, the Holy Spirit of God will never leave us to sink in the trials of our troubled world with its peril and destruction.

Rather, we are raised by the Three In One: daily, surely again this morning, and forever.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Rector of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, and Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish.

R. (12b)  Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
For he spoke, and it was made;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Brothers and sisters:
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a Spirit of adoption,
through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!”
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.