The Holy Trinity

by Rev. Fr. Paul Thotakat, Dallas, TX

Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, the One God in three persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.), in perfect communion. They are distinct but not separate.

The sun can be likened to a trinity also, with the Father as being analogous to the sun, the Son proceeding from the sun (Father) as the light that we see, and the Holy Spirit proceeding from the sun and as the heat that we feel. As long as Sun exists there will be heat and light. There again, we have a trio of the sun (the star), light, and heat, with each being distinct from the others but not separate. Therefore the term "Trinity" does not imply three gods. God reveals himself to human beings in terms of Trinity.

God is far beyond the ability of human intelligence and comprehension. What we know about God are through the knowledge He revealed to us. God the Father is the invisible origin of Christ. Son (the light) is begotten from Father (the sun). The light declares the existence of Sun. Jesus Christ said to Philip, "Anyone who has seen Me, has seen the Father" (John 14:9).

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3) And as light proceeds forth from that ball in space, so Jesus proceeds forth from the Father. "I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me." (John 8:42)

You cannot get to God unless you follow the light, as Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Jesus in His words, parables and actions revealed Him also as the Father of Mercy, Forgiveness, Love, Generosity, Compassion and unending good qualities.

And what of the Holy Spirit? For there is an apparent distinction between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is like the heat that comes from the sun. You cannot see heat, but you can see the effects of it. So even in darkness, for those who don't have the light of Christ, the Holy Spirit is yet at work. Holy Spirit is the manifestation of the power from God. And as heat also proceeds from sun so the Holy Spirit also proceeds from the Father. "... the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father ..." (John 15:26)