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The
highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity,
choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over
popularity.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for THERE IS
NEVER A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
-
Bishop Soc Villegas
25 July 2007
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ON THE TRIUNE
GOD
(Part 2)
After he had fulfilled
his mission, immediately prior to his ascension into heaven, Jesus
gave his final instructions to his disciples. He issued the Great
Commission.
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“Go, therefore,
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit”
(Mt 28:19)
This verse is the
clearest expression in the Bible of the reality of the Triune God. The
Trinity is very much connected with the continuing mission of Jesus
and his Church.
Jesus gave his marching orders. His followers were to become
evangelizers and missionaries. They were to proclaim the good news of
salvation to the whole world, baptize them in the name of the Triune
God, and disciple them. Baptism meant entry into the Church and union
with the Trinity. Such union would be deepened and strengthened
through Christian formation in the faith, “teaching them to observe
all that” Jesus has commanded (Mt 28:20a).
In the name of the Father
Union with the Father is our restoration as children of God.
Sin had separated us from God and deprived us of paradise. God sent
His own Son Jesus to bring us back to Himself. But when we accept the
salvation won for us on the cross, then “through faith (we) are all
children of God in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:26). “As proof that you
are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into
our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (Gal 4:6).
Restored as God’s children, we now have access to our eternal
inheritance.
In the name of the Son
Union with the Son is our walking in his ways and in imitation of him.
This is what discipleship is all about.
Jesus tells us to follow him, to walk in his ways, to obey his
commands. Paul exhorts us to have the same attitude as Jesus (Phil
2:5), to imitate him as he imitates Christ (1 Cor 11:1), to “grow in
every way into him who is the head, Christ” (Eph 4:15).
Indeed, Jesus gave us a new commandment of love. We are to love one
another as he has loved us. This would then be the mark of a disciple.
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have
love for one another.” (Jn 13:35). And the best way we can manifest
that love is to bring people to Christ, so that they, like us, will
experience the fullness of the love of the Triune God.
Jesus directs us, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is
perfect.” (Mt 5:48). Our work of evangelization and discipleship has
the same aim. “It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and
teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone
perfect in Christ.” (Col 1:28).
In the name of the Holy Spirit
Union with the Holy Spirit is doing the very work of God in the very
power of God. This is what evangelization and mission is about.
For weak human flesh to do the divine work of God, we need a power
outside of ourselves. This is the power of the Holy Spirit, which
Jesus promised through the baptism with the Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). God
poured out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost. On that day, Peter
boldly and effectively proclaimed the gospel, resulting in the
conversion of about 3,000 persons (Acts 2:41). And the apostles went
on to perform “many signs and wonders” (Acts 5:12).
Indeed, it was as Jesus promised. “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever
believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones
than these” (Jn 14:12). The Christians went on to evangelize the
whole world.
Those called to be evangelizers can call on this power. “For this I
labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working
within me.” (Col 1:29).
The call to be evangelizers
The Trinity involves us in its very own work.
Out of His great love for us, in accordance with His plan of
restoration, God sent His Son, Jesus. “For God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16a). In turn, Jesus sent the
Spirit. “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I
will send him to you.” (Jn 16:7). In turn, the Spirit sends us.[1]
Saul and Barnabas were “sent forth by the holy Spirit” (Acts
13:4). The Spirit could also prevent them from going on mission. When
Paul and Timothy wanted to go into Bithynia, “the Spirit of Jesus
did not allow them” (Acts 16:7).
The commission to evangelize comes from God Himself. The fulfillment
of God’s plan is accomplished by the Trinity through us. The Father
sends His Son; Jesus sends his Spirit; the Holy Spirit sends us.
We are privileged to be children of God, disciples of Jesus, and
instruments of the Holy Spirit. Such a gift is something we need to
share with others.
May we all be worthy of such a privilege.
Discussion starter for
household meetings:
To evangelize is to share with others the love of God, the salvation
won on the cross by Jesus, and the presence and help of the Holy
Spirit for practical Christian living. How are you sharing this gift
with others?
On the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity
June 7, 2009
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