Today's Gospel - June 3, 2012 Sunday with Reflection

Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

1^ST READING - Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40

P S A L M - Psalm 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22

R: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

4 Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. 9 For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. 22 May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. (R)

2^ND READING - Romans 8:14-17

14 Brothers and sisters: Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 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!” 16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 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.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Matthew 28:16-20

16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. 18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

SABBATH

THE GOD WHO FREES AND UNITES

We are always called for a new beginning. There is a possibility for a new life. The story of Les Miserablestalks of Jean Valjean who was inspired by a bishop who did not condemn him for taking candleholders because he was still in his prison mentality. The song “Amazing Grace” reminds us of how God in His goodness calls us from being lost to being found, blind but now we see. From many dangers and fears, God’s grace will lead us home and believe.

In Deuteronomy, part of Israel’s history is their experience of slavery in Egypt and the constant temptation to turn to other gods. Psalm 33 sings of the reality of death and famine. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he speaks of slavery that leads to fear and recognizes suffering. The Gospel of Matthew narrates that even if the disciples saw the Risen Jesus, they still doubted.

Israel was not called for slavery. God called Moses to free them from captivity. He constantly reminded them through the prophets to return to God. The psalmist sings of Israel as chosen to be God’s own. Paul reminds the early Christians that they are adopted children in Christ, freed from the spirit of slavery to cry out “Abba, Father!” We share in the Spirit of Christ who redeemed us from sin. We are called to be disciples under the kingdom of God — the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

God has spoken. He created. He freed. He gave them the Promised Land. The commandment is to love God above all idols. The blessing is hope for God’s kindness and justice. He will speak and it will be made. Paul believes that if we suffer with Christ, we live with Christ. We are the Body of Christ, children of God.

The Gospel is a call to baptism from the slavery of sin to the freedom of love. We are meant to be disciples in the God who creates, redeems and unites. We share in the power of Jesus to carry this freedom of love to all the nations. Fr. Teodulo P, Gonzales, S.J

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What kind of slavery do you fall into? What freedom do you beg God for?

We beg, Lord, for the grace to be freed from the slavery of fear to live, and to believe in the dignity of being God’s children.


Blessed John XXIII, pray for us.

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