The Trinity, for peace and unity
I was caught in heavy traffic once in Concepcion, Tarlac. It was hot, and everything had come to a halt, so I alighted from the car. I was greeted by a couple with a little baby in the next car. After the usual greetings, I asked the husband how long they have been stranded, and the husband’s answer was: “Father Orbos, when we got here, my wife was still pregnant, now we have a baby already!” We all burst into laughter. In that one light moment, we forgot all the traffic and the heat and felt that we belonged. It was literally for me an experience of the Trinity in a most unexpected place. Yes, there will always be something or someone to remind us of God’s love.
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The whole Bible is a beautiful love story, the story of a God who wants to share His life and love with His people. The whole Bible can be summed up in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.”
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“Your most important appointment today is your appointment with your Heavenly Father.” This text message convicted me deeply as I realized how often I have set aside my prayer appointment with the Trinity because of my other “pressing” and “urgent” appointments. It is really so easy for us to cut down or all together leave out our appointment with God, and all in God’s name! May it not happen that we forget the Lord of the work because we are “busy” doing God’s work! Let us always keep our appointment with the Trinity. Come to think of it, all of our other appointments should be done because of, with and through the Trinity.
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A few years ago, I was called by the family of a rich man to give the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. I was briefed by the overly concerned family that he was a proud man who lived a sinful life, and who may not be receptive to God, even on his deathbed. Before going to the hospital, I asked the Holy Spirit to take over. What happened? When he saw me, the old man started to cry like a baby and he asked me to hear his confession. Here was a man who came home to the embrace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Here was a man who has come home to the Trinity. I went home that night praising and thanking God for being so forgiving, and so welcoming of each and every one of us, anytime. Come home, uwi ka na, sa Trinity!
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Try this today: Say the sign of the cross very slowly and prayerfully, and after you say “Amen,” cross your hands over your heart and stay in the embrace of The Trinity. Just allow yourself to be embraced whoever you are, whoever you think you are, whatever you have been, and feel God’s unconditional assurance and love.
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God provides in more ways than we can expect or understand. Indeed, God is so big. He can embrace the whole world, yet so small He can be found in the heart of each one of us. As we go on in life, may we never lose sight of the Trinity that has chosen to stick it out with us through thick and thin. On our part, “lapit lang kay Lord,” (Come close to the Lord; “kapit lang kay Lord” (Hold on to the Lord); “lagi lang kay Lord” (Stay with the Lord)!
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In Madrid, I was able to visit the Shrine of San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers and laborers who work hard just to make a living, and who help their family keep going, especially our overseas Filipino workers who brave deprivations, loneliness, and even persecutions to somehow give a better future for their loved ones and for our country. Mabuhay kayo! On the other hand, I prayed also for those who lead and govern us who have become more of “cobradors” (purchasers) for their families and less of “labradors” (workers) for our country.
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When we will appear before the Most Holy Trinity someday, may we have no regrets then that we loved the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit too little, too late, just because we loved ourselves too much. May the Holy Triune God live in our hearts in the here and now. Amen.
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A moment with the Lord:
Oh Most Holy Trinity, make our hearts less greedy. Amen.
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