Holy Trinity
The Holy Trinity is one of the greatest mysteries of the Catholic faith, and is an attempt to describe the mysterious nature of God.
‘The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life’
The Trinity refers to the idea that God is one, but can be experienced in three different Persons. The word ‘trinity’ comes from the word ‘tri’ meaning ‘three’ and ‘unity’ meaning ‘one’.
Catholicism teaches that there are three distinct Persons to this one God and that these three Persons form a unity. This belief is called the doctrine of the Trinity:
- God the Father - the creator and sustainer of all things
- God the Son - the The belief that God took human form in Jesus Christ. It is also the belief that God in Christ is active in the Church and in the world. of God as a human being, Jesus Christ, on Earth
- God theThe third element of the 'Trinity' (God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit is active as God's presence and power in the world. - the power of God which is active in the world, drawing people towards God
God the Father
Christians refer to God as the Father. The Catholic Church teaches that God the Father is the creator of all things. The belief is that he is the creator ex nihlio. This means that God created the universe and all things in it out of nothing. This belief was explained and explored by St Augustine, a prominent theologian and philosopher in the early Christian Church, in his Confession XII, 7; …create something, and that out of nothing.
The belief is that before the universe there was nothing and everything in it is dependent on God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
God is also viewed as a loving father. The belief is that he cares and loves humanity, as a father loves his son. This is shown in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32)
In the parable, despite the son having squandered his early inheritance, the father still welcomes him home with open arms and a celebration. In the same way, the belief is that God welcomes back those who have sinned and now seek to be reconciled with him.
God is also known as the father of Jesus Christ, as Jesus claimed to have a special relationship with God.
No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
God the Son
God the Son refers to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Catholicism teaches that this is Jesus as God in human form, who was sent to save humanity. Many Catholics believe that he was sacrificed for the sins of humankind, which allows them to be reunited with God after death. Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God on Earth - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us
(John 1:14).
Catholicism teaches that the Son was present at the creation of the universe, but wasn’t in his human form at this stage. The belief is that God chose to reveal himself as a human being in order to spread his teaching, to show how life should be lived, and to represent humanity for their salvation.
God the Holy Spirit
The belief is that the Holy Spirit is the power of God at work on the Earth. In the scriptures it is often depicted as wind, fire or in the form of a dove. The Catholic Church teaches that it is through the power and workings of the Holy Spirit that God is known today and how Catholics can know what God wants them to do.
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Catholic Church teaches that it is also through the Holy Spirit that Catholics receive grace and gifts from God, such as faithfulness and self-control:
...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The belief is that the Holy Spirit is connected with life and the soul. When Adam was created, God breathed life into him. Catholicism also teaches that it was through the Holy Spirit that Mary became pregnant with Jesus.
The faith teaches that the Holy Spirit continues to act through people, producing characteristics which show a true Christian.
