R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

What is the name of God? He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, yes, but how does God identify Himself? Remember the account in the Book of Exodus regarding the burning bush: Moses saw, from a distance, the burning bush that did not burn out. He was drawn to it as God called him by name, “Moses, Moses!”

God said to Moses, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face before the great mystery of God’s presence. God told him that he, Moses, was to be the great leader to take the Jewish people out of slavery under Egypt into the promised land.

Moses said, “Yes,” to God because he knew the acute slavery of the Jewish people under the Pharoah and the Egyptians.  Moses had but one question for God: “What is Your Name?”

“Tell the Israelites, I Am Who Am.”

In that phrase, God revealed and showed Himself to be the One and Only God. There is no other! He is the One True God.

The first reading from Scripture today is the account of Moses and God on Sinai. God’s chosen people were delivered from the Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and now are on the journey in the desert to their promised land. Moses encounters, on Mount Sinai, this same True God. God describes Himself to Moses as gracious, rich in kindness and fidelity, slow to anger, and merciful.

God, atop Sinai, also gives Moses the Ten Commandments. Moses then descends the mountain only to find God’s people have molded a golden calf, worshipping now, instead of their One, True God, pagan gods! He must now show them how they have broken the covenant with the One True God …

This One True God forgives them. But Moses now, as their leader, takes them to the promised land, reminding them, however, how they have broken this precious covenant in their worship of the molded calf. He reminds them of this constantly. Once in the promised land, God continues to show Himself – one as their Heavenly Father, two as their savior in Jesus Christ, Son of God, and three as the Holy Spirit Who is our Advocate, present with us in the Church. Of course, these are not three different gods but rather the One God – “I Am Who Am,” Who once spoke to Moses in the burning bush. Three persons in communion with One Another in the One, True Godhead, Who says, “I am the LORD, your God. You shall not have gods before Me.”

Remember the burning bush, and how the God of Israel called Moses to rescue His people in the Name of the One True God, so we, as members of the Church, are called today to rescue the world through the Most Holy Trinity, the One True God in the person of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. It is a mystery to behold in our lives and to live. Look nowhere else! He is the One God Who showed us Who He is: Our Father, Our Savior, Our Advocate! Sign yourselves often with the Sign of the Cross (use Holy Water if you can), for the rest your life. This is the One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

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

Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai
as the LORD had commanded him,
taking along the two stone tablets.

Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there
and proclaimed his name, “LORD.”
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,
“The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.”
Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.
Then he said, “If I find favor with you, O Lord,
do come along in our company.
This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own.”

R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Brothers and sisters, rejoice.
Mend your ways, encourage one another,
agree with one another, live in peace,
and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the holy ones greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

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.