Reflection on how the Most Holy Trinity invites us to grow through self-awareness, self-giving, and self-emptying love in everyday life.
Praise be to Jesus Christ
There is a wonderful story about a desert father, a holy man, in a distant desert, who spent his life in prayer , penance and silence. He lived alone in a cave high up in the hills of the desert. People respected him deeply. Many came to him for guidance and prayer because he was wise and close to God. It’s said he even had the gift of reading people’s hearts.
But time passed. He became very weak and sick and he was not able to live alone in the cave of the hills. So he left the cave and moved into a small house down in the valley.
One day, a young disciple of his asked, whether he could go and stay in the cave where the old man lived? Seeing the young man’s desire to grow in prayer and holiness, he agreed.
After a while, people began to go to the young man avoiding the old man. They started asking him for prayers and advice. The old father, sitting quietly in the valley, began to feel something stir in his heart, perhaps, jealousy.
He tried to push it aside, tried to ignore it and for a few days, he stayed calm. But soon, the old monk could not bear it any longer, and he sent a message to the young man, asking him to leave the cave and come back to the valley. Even though he was a holy man, and had spent years in prayer, he was still struggling to overcome his ego.
As we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity and reflect upon the Gospel passage we have a perfect example of acceptance and self-emptying. Like the desert father, we all might wrestle with our human weaknesses. But the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, shows us a different way to live. The Trinity invites us to grow not in pride, but in self-awareness, self-giving, and self-emptiness. This is the path to holiness.
First, the Trinity teaches us about self-awareness.
The Father knows He is the Creator. The Son knows He is the Redeemer. The Holy Spirit knows He is the one who helps and guides. They do not compete or compare. Each one knows His role and works in unity. This is something we may need to practice in our lives, always respect the role of others and give them the space to work. If you plan to take the space of others, both of you will not grow.
Second, the Trinity shows us self-giving.
Jesus said, “He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:14) The Father gave us His only Son. Jesus gave everything, even His life. The Holy Spirit gives us His grace, His strength, His gifts. None of them keeps anything for themselves. This invites us to be generous in our day today lives.
And third, the Trinity teaches us self-emptiness.
They don’t hold on to power or glory. They pour themselves out in love. Jesus says, “Everything the Father has is mine.” (John 16:15) They live in deep love and unity — not thinking of themselves, but giving themselves completely.
And that is how we are called to live. This feast is not about solving a mystery but about living it. Think of your parents and their sacrifices. How they worked quietly, gave up their own comforts for your good. That’s self-giving. That’s love. Again, think of your teachers, your friends and the people who stood by you in times of disaster or crisis. They came forward not for fame or name but simply to help. That is the spirit of the Trinity in action.
St. Paul reminds us, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you didn’t?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
So let’s ask ourselves:
- Do I truly know myself — my strengths and my weaknesses?
- Do I share my time, my energy, my things or do I keep them just for myself?
- Do I try to live humbly, or do I thirst for praise?
Oh! Holy trinity transform me with your perfect love
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God Bless…
