Divine Prerogative

Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Readings: Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9; Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18
Notes: Added rating indicator to the top of the posts. It’s a feature I’d like to try out to see if it communicates reception.

Divine Prerogative means that G-d is under no obligation to show mercy or to not show mercy. He is merciful on whomever he wishes to be merciful.

1. Some would limit the mercy of G-d. Have mercy on me but not him, or the opposite, on him not on me.
2. Some would trivialize the mercy of G-d. What good is mercy in my agonies?
3. Some would universalize the mercy of G-d. No matter what, I get mercy.

G-d is always merciful: “The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.”

Taken in reverse order as follows:

1. Slow to anger means his mercy is continuous but if we persist in rejecting mercy, it can be ineffective. We have the autonomy.
2. Rich in kindness means He is present even in our agonies. Remember, Jesus could not sense the love but knew the love (My God, My God…).
3. His mercy is an expression of his fidelity to us as his created beings. The Father sent His Son and His Spirit to us directly and intimately.

His mercy has three interesting component relative to our actions:

[The Lord] continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but bringing punishment for their parents’ wickedness on children and children’s children to the third and fourth generation!

1. He leverages our right relations (goodness) and makes it perfect – to a thousand generations!
2. He limits the effects of our mistakes t have an impact less than they have potency to be limited to 3rd and 4th generations.
3. He invites us into the Divine Life to be mercy and to allow us to offer redemptive suffering.

Trinity Sunday following Pentecost Sunday and preceding the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ makes the powerful statement about the fidelity of G-d.

• G-d who created us sends … himself in the second and third person to be with us… to pilgrimage with us until the end of time.
• Answering Moses in the fullest: If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company.

Trinity:

• Father – Makes us to be his children, and offers his kingdom of good will and peace.
• Son – Makes us brother and friend and has won our redemption.
• Spirit – Gifts us divine Life, divine love, holy wisdom and strength in our weakness.

Prayer

Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, one God in three Persons, by proclaiming and living faith in you. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, and lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunday reflection from three years ago which certainly applies today: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2020/06/08/trinity-blessed/

Responsorial
Glory and praise for ever!

Second Reading
Note: I include the entirety of it as it is a prayer of blessing for you!

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.
[Amen].

Gospel Acclamation
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.

Gospel
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.

The Divine Prerogative is to Love. That is what he decided to be, to do and to promise.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry