My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, gathered as we are within the embrace of the Unified Old Catholic Church, and in communion with the universal Body of Christ.

Today is a truly special day, as we gather on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, and for many, it also coincides with Father’s Day. How fitting it is that on the day we celebrate the profound mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we also take a moment to honor the fathers and father figures in our lives, those who reflect, however imperfectly, the boundless love of our Creator.

The Trinity, for many, remains the most profound and perhaps the most perplexing mystery of our faith. We speak of one God in three Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s a truth that defies simple logic, a reality that no human mind can fully grasp or contain within neat categories. And as a Dominican, an Order of Preachers, Independent (OPI), I can tell you that for centuries, holy men and women have wrestled with this very mystery, not to solve it like a riddle, but to plunge ever deeper into its depths, seeking not merely intellectual understanding, but profound encounter.

In a world that prizes clarity, certainty, and immediate answers, the Trinity stands as a divine paradox. Yet, it is precisely in this paradox that we find the most profound truths for our lives today.

Consider, first, God the Father, the source of all being, the Creator. Today, as we celebrate Father’s Day, our minds turn naturally to this ultimate Father. In our fragmented, often anxious world, many feel adrift, searching for meaning and purpose. We are bombarded by information, often contradictory, and sometimes feel disconnected from any fundamental grounding. The Solemnity of the Trinity reminds us that at the heart of all reality is a loving, generative force, a divine Parent who calls us into existence and sustains us with unwavering care. Our search for meaning begins and ends in this foundational love, a love that brought forth the universe and continues to call us into deeper relationship.

And this divine Fatherhood casts a beautiful light on human fatherhood. To all fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, godfathers, and those who serve as father figures in our lives, we acknowledge your vital role. You are called to reflect the patience, provision, protection, and unconditional love of our Heavenly Father. It is a sacred calling, one often marked by quiet sacrifice, steady guidance, and unwavering presence, even when unseen. We pray for all fathers, that they may be strengthened in their vocation, and for those who yearn to be fathers, and for those who have lost their fathers, as well as those that have no relationship or troubled relationships with their fathers that they may find comfort in God’s eternal embrace.

Then we encounter God the Son, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the perfect revelation of the Father’s love. Jesus’s life was a testament to His intimate relationship with “Abba,” Father. He showed us loving obedience, profound trust, and a boundless love that extended to all of humanity. In our world, where empathy often seems scarce or scorned, and divisions run deep – whether by politics, economics, or identity – Jesus stands as the ultimate reconciler. He walked among us, healed the sick, comforted the afflicted, challenged injustice, and ultimately laid down His life out of selfless love. Today, as we grapple with inequality, suffering, and the yearning for true justice, we are called to look to Christ. He shows us what it means to be truly human, truly divine, and truly in solidarity with one another. He calls us to build bridges, to advocate for the marginalized, and to embody compassion in every interaction, just as He did.

And finally, God the Holy Spirit, the breath of God, the Sanctifier, the bond of love between the Father and the Son, poured out upon us. In a society that often feels isolated, where true community can be elusive despite constant digital connection, the Holy Spirit is the principle of unity. The Spirit breathes life into our Church, into our hearts, and into our world. The Spirit empowers us to move beyond our limitations, to speak truth with charity, to love beyond our comfort zones, and to recognize the divine spark in every person. For us, as a Parish of the Unified Old Catholic Church, our commitment to inclusivity, to the dignity of all God’s people, and to actively living out the Gospel in the world, is truly animated by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit nudges us to open our doors wider, to listen more deeply, and to act more courageously for justice and peace, enabling fathers and families to flourish in grace.

My friends, the Most Holy Trinity is not just a theological formula; it is the very blueprint for abundant life. It is a divine dance of relationship, a perfect communion of love, self-giving, and mutuality. It is the model for what humanity is called to be: a community of people bound by love, seeking the good of one another, and participating in the divine life. This profound truth illuminates the sacred role of fatherhood or what fatherhood should be, inviting all fathers to participate in God’s creative and sustaining love.

So, on this Solemnity, and on this Father’s Day, let us not merely acknowledge the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, but let us allow it to transform us. Let us pray that the Father’s love sustains us, that the Son’s example guides us, and that the Holy Spirit’s power empowers us to live as true reflections of divine communion in our world today, honoring the fathers who strive to embody that divine love in their own lives.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.