Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity – Sunday – Cycle A – John 3:16-18

The daily Gospel reading from the Mass for the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity is John 3:16-18.

After approaching Christ in the dark of the night, Nicodemus, a member of the ruling Jewish council (Sanhedrin), is emphatically told by Christ that men must be born from “on high” with a baptism by the Holy Spirit and that He is the Son of Man from Heaven who will be crucified. Christ rebuked Nicodemus for his lack of understanding, but with great mercy begins to reveal His true identity and mission. Christ confirms the stark choice each man must make to seek salvation or condemnation.

Christ offers uplifting revelation for all men. God exists. God is the Father who has an only Son. While men have the opportunity for eternal life after death, without Christ they will perish [due to Original Sin]. Out of love and with a deliberate plan, the Father has sent His only begotten Son in to the world for the salvation of men. The Son’s presence in the world confirms the men of the world stand condemned. Those who believe in Christ and are reborn in the Holy Spirit through baptism will receive eternal life (John 3:3-8).

Christ also gives men a deadly warning. Men who refuse to believe in in Christ, the only Son of God, are condemned. Men’s refusal to believe is rebellion against the Father who has deliberately sent His Son; this rebellion puts men outside the saving sacrifice of Christ and leaves men subject to a life of spiritual darkness, moral evil and eternal damnation.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Person of the Trinity, Christ confirms the reality of God the Father, that He is the only Son of God and the life-giving existence of the Holy Spirit. Divine Mercy, Christ reveals the great love the Father has for men. Divine Judge, Christ reveals all men’s deeds are known, that believing men are saved and evil men are condemned.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Be awed by how Jesus Christ, who appears as flesh and blood in His human nature, speaks with authority about God the Father’s motivation, power and action in the world.

2) John Chapter 3 offers a mysterious and beautiful confirmation of the Holy Trinity: The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Church celebrates the Solemnity (meaning an annual liturgical celebration of the highest rank) of the Holy Trinity each year the Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, the celebration of the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Refresh your understanding of the Trinity (CCC 232-267) and pray to be drawn into an ever-deeper relationship with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

3) The overwhelming love of God the Father’s is powerfully revealed in John 3:16; this passage should be memorized and on the lips of every Catholic man.  Meditate upon Christ’s strong assurance of God’s Truth and Love (CCC 214-231) and be strengthened that God has blessed you as a Catholic man with His Divine Mercy.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Trinity

Virtue of the Day – Charity

Corporal Work of Mercy – To feed the hungry

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To admonish the sinner