ST. MARK'S, PHILADELPHIA.
TRINITY SUNDAY, 1934.
MY DEAR PEOPLE:
"I believe in one God the Father Almighty—And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; Begotten of His Father before all worlds. Being of one substance with the Father—And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified." So the Creed rehearses the Articles of Belief in the Holy Trinity.
"First, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me, and all the world.
"Secondly, in God the Son, who hath redeemed me, and all mankind. Thirdly, in God the Holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me, and all the people of God." So, as children, we chiefly learned in these Articles of our Belief.
"There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts or passions; of infinite power, wisdom and goodness. The Maker, and Preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." So the first Article of Religion defines the Faith in the Holy Trinity.
"It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, Who with thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Substance. For that which we believe of thy glory, O Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference of inequality." So the Preface directs the Eucharistic intention.
From Advent to Christmas we contemplated the love of the Father, Who so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son.
From Christmas to Ascension we followed the blessed steps of the Incarnate Son who redeemed the world.
At Pentecost we returned thanks to the Holy Ghost, who teaches us and leads us into all truth, in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Today we adore the Holy Trinity, Three Persons and One God.
Each Christian Year is a pilgrimage of Grace. We begin at the Crib. We make our central station at the Cross. We wait at the Sepulchre. We assemble in the Garden of the Resurrection. We climb to the Mount of the Ascension. We meet with one accord in one place at Pentecost. And on Trinity Sunday, we look, and behold a door is opened in Heaven, And here we are.
What today means to us depends upon what the Crib and the Cross and the Garden and the Mount and the place of Pentecost meant. One must begin at the beginning and go through to the end. Then it is all clear and simple and satisfying.
Whatever has happened to us since last Trinity Sunday, and much has in one way or another, whether the year brought us what we hoped for or what we dreaded, there has never been any uncertainty as to the outcome of the Christian Year. It has been the only thing we could really depend upon.
We waste no time in wondering what may happen next to the world. What has happened is what matters to us. God has given His only Son to be born for us. Our Lord in substance of our mortal flesh has manifested forth His glory. In the Mystery of the Word made flesh, a new light has shone in our hearts. By his offering of Himself for us, He has taken away sin, by his death He has destroyed death, and by His rising to life again He has restored to us everlasting life. He has ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us. The Holy Ghost has come down and has brought us into the true knowledge of the Holy Trinity.
Angels and Archangels, saints, souls departed, and the Holy Church throughout the world are causing earth and sky and heaven to ring as we laud and magnify God's glorious name, singing Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
Affectionately in Our Lord,
