This lesson is based on the text, Life in Christ: A Catholic Catechism for Adults, by Rev. Gerard Weber and Rev. James Killgallon (Acta Publications, 1995). The question in bold type is followed by a short answer taken from the text. The text in italics is another answer from the RCIA teacher, Jim Collins. Hyperlinks in red will direct you to documents or websites related to the topic. The entire sequence of lessons forms a comprehensive approach to basic RCIA instruction.
Father, I adore
You Lay my life before You How I love You
Jesus, I adore You Lay my life before You How
I love You Spirit I adore You Lay my life before
You How I love You
(repeat twice more) How I Love You!
Questions and answers: Section 10: The Trinity
What did Jesus teach us of the inmost life of God? There is one God, the supreme creator and law-giver. In this one God there are three divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all equal to the others.
How did Jesus tell us that there are three Divine Persons? He spoke of the Father in the Our Father, when he threw out the moneychangers, in his farewell discourse, on the cross…
Why is the First Divine Person called the Father? This is the way Jesus spoke of Him, the best way we can conceive of Him in our minds and from our experience.
Why is the Second Divine Person called the Son? He is the perfect image of the Father. At his baptism the Father says, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Lk 3:21-22)
Why is the Third Divine Person called the Holy Spirit? He is the person of divine love proceeding from the love between the Father and the Son. Jesus commissions the Disciples to “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.” (Matthew 28:19). See other references in the Dictionary-Concordance, p. 655.
How do we distinguish between the three Persons in God? Father: creator, ruler, Abba (Daddy). Son: the Savior, Messiah, Word, Son of the Father. Holy Spirit: The one sent to enlighten and inspire, the source of the seven gifts (Isaiah 11)
Do we find any manifestations of the Blessed Trinity in the New Testament? When Jesus was baptized; When Jesus was transfigured; On Pentecost
How has the Church spoken of the Trinity? Augustine: like putting the ocean into a hole on the beach. One God in three Divine Persons (timely Greek philosophy distinctions of nature and person; also, essence and existence).
How do we honor the Blessed Trinity in the liturgy? The Church addresses prayers to God the Father, through the Son, in union with the Holy Spirit. Pentecost. Trinity Sunday. Annunciation. Baptism of Jesus.
How may we pray to the Blessed Trinity? Simply pray to God (all three included). Pray to any one of the Three. Pray to the Father, through the Son, in union with the Holy Spirit. Sign of the Cross. Creed. Per Ipsum. Mass. Sacraments.
Prayer:
O Salutaris Hostia
O Saving Victim
Quae caeli pandis ostium.
Who throws open the door of heaven
Bella premunt hostilia;
The enemies wage wars
Da robur fer auxilium.
Give strength; Bring help
Uni trinoque Domino
May the one in three Lord
Sit sempiterna gloria:
Be glorified forever
Qui vitam sine termino,
The One who without end
Nobis donet in patria. Amen
May He give us life in the kingdom of Our Father. Amen