THEME: OUR GOD IS UNIQUE
READINGS: Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40/ Psalm 33:4-6,9,18-20,22 / Romans 8:14-17/ Matthew 28:16-20
Solemnity of the Holy Trinity
INTRODUCTION
The word, “unique”, could be defined as being the only one of its kind. In this sense, we can say that a person’s fingerprints are unique. In this perspective, our God is unique. Thus, according to today’s first reading, Moses affirmed that God is the only one of His kind: “Know therefore …that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other” (Deut. 4:39).
Our God is unique by nature and His actions also reveal His uniqueness. In this homily, we wish to consider God’s uniqueness as could be discerned from today’s readings including the responsorial Psalm.
GOD IS UNIQUE BY NATURE
Let us consider God’s uniqueness by nature:
- God is not only loving (cf. Psalm 33:5), He is love itself (1 John 4:8). No one else is love itself.
- Only God is absolutely righteous or holy (cf. Psalm 33:5).
- He is the only Giver of life and true blessings (cf. Deut. 4:40).
- Only God is absolutely faithful (cf. Psalm 33:4).
- Only God is absolutely trustworthy (cf. Psalm 33:4).
- Only God is absolutely merciful (cf. Psalm 33:22).
- Only God is absolutely just (cf. Psalm 33:5).
- Only in God do mercy and justice have a perfect balance.
- God is our ultimate Father – He is the Father of even all those we call fathers (cf. Rom. 8:14-15).
- Only God is truly Supreme; for He is God in heaven above and on the earth below (Deut. 4:39).
SOME ACTIONS WHICH REVEAL GOD’S UNIQUENESS
By creating the world, including humans, with His word and out of nothing (cf. Psalm 33:6-9; Deut. 4:32), God is revealed as the original and absolute Creator. Also, He is revealed as the only One who exists forever (cf. Matt. 28:20). Simply put, God is eternal!
By speaking out of the midst of fire to Moses and His people (Deut. 4:33), God revealed His absolute awesomeness.
By delivering Israel from Egypt with great wonders and signs (Deut. 4:34), God revealed that He is almighty. In this light, He has also revealed Himself as our ultimate help and shield (cf. Psalm 33:20).
By fulfilling the hope of the Israelites in slavery, God has revealed Himself as the only One who perfectly fulfils our hope (cf. Psalm 33:22).
By sending us His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the slavery of sin, God is revealed as our Redeemer (cf. Rom. 8:15-16).
ABSOLUTE UNIQUENESS
Our God is unique by being the perfect and complex combination of love, eternity, holiness, life, blessings, faithfulness, trustworthiness, mercy, justice, Fatherhood, Supremeness, awesomeness, Creator, our Help, our Shield, our hope Fulfiller and Redeemer, to name only a few.
Beloved, this homily cannot be concluded without mentioning the mystery of all the mysteries of God – the mystery of the Holy Trinity. This was revealed when God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, though there is one God, there are three divine persons – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hence, Jesus commands us to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19).
O, this is simply mind-blowing: One God, yet three Persons! This is the absolute uniqueness of God; for there is no one (visible or invisible) who is one and yet three!
CONCLUSION
Beloved, this homily based on today’s readings provide us with only a drop in the ocean of God’s uniqueness. Indeed, even the whole Bible does not capture the full mystery of our unique God, for He is eternal!
Nonetheless, may the little we can comprehend about the mystery of our unique God humble us, instil in us reverential fear of Him, and stir in us sincere love and worship of Him. Finally, as we persevere in doing this, may we eventually enjoy the heavenly glory which the Father has promised us (cf. Rom. 8:17). Amen!
By Most Rev. John Kobina Louis
