(Source from The Word Among Us)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. (2 Corinthians 13:13)

This familiar verse from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is one of the clearest passages in the New Testament that talks about the Holy Trinity. And while Paul’s prayer does not even begin to exhaust the depth and complexity of the Trinity, it can certainly give us some insight. So let’s ponder these words to explore how each Person of the Trinity might want to be with all of us today.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has made God’s saving grace available to us. He pours out that grace in the form of mercy from God for us sinful human beings. He manifests that grace every time he forgives and heals and restores us. And he offers that grace to you, anew, each day.

The love of God. Love is the foundation of everything God the Father does. Why did he create? Out of love. Why did he send his Son into the world? Because he loved us and wanted to redeem us. Why did he send the Holy Spirit? Because his love naturally and freely flows outward toward us. It’s a creative and generous and expansive love. And your heavenly Father wants to fill you with that love today.

The fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, is the communion of love between the Father and the Son. Because, in a sense, he is fellowship, he gathers us into that communion. He enflames our hearts with love for God. He draws us out of isolation or sin and into unity with God and with the people around us. That’s the “fellowship” he offers you today—fellowship with him and with his people.

As you join your fellow parishioners in worshipping this triune God at Mass today, know that he is pouring out his grace on “all of you” (2 Corinthians 13:13). So go ahead and open your heart to receive it.

“Holy Trinity, you are a mystery. Help me to say yes to your work in my life today.”