In the name of a Triune God

We are wont to get what we want when we use the name of the boss. "Sabi ni Boss" is the kind of reference which carries such weight. Whatever we want to have or done we readily have or is accomplished, when we speak in the name of somebody influential or high in position – pre-sidents, managers, treasurers (especially when we are needing some cash urgently), or just about anybody who is wielding some power, drivers, foremen, nay, even the mother or father superior of a religious community, or its provincial or general. This includes those who have money-power, prestige-power, or the common secretary-power (as sometimes the secretary, especially if he or she is ‘sip-sip’ to the boss, will wield her commands as if she is the boss herself or himself. This is common among many secretaries who think they have their prerogative to speak or do at anytime or anywhere in the name of the boss or superior. So very often subjects are more afraid of these flaunting secretaries than their bosses.

However, in the divine economy, we are asked to say or do in the name of God. "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:18-20). We are asked to say or do in the name of an infinite power, meaning, what is all the prerogative we want to assume in the name of an earthly power? We do not need to assume power ourselves "thinking we can get anything we want by invoking the authority of a superior who like us, might be seeking a higher power himself whom he also can invoke when faced with any need. Let us not deceive ourselves by going into that business of pataasan or palakasan with that false security we think we have in some "Sir", some ‘Honorable’ so and so, some ‘excellencies’ or fame and prestige incorporated. They are afterall all finite, subject to weaknesses and outrageous fortune, subject to the judgment and needing themselves the mercy of God.

"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to Me," Jesus said (Matthew 28:18). In the divine economy, we are asked to say or do in the name of God. We speak of God not as a doctrine or a theological term. We speak of God as someone with whom we can relate personally. We speak of God as family eternally speaking to us through His Word, forever loving us through the Holy Spirit – God loving without end through His Son Jesus in the Spirit who leads us, triune God all just one true LOVE – all of apiece.

"Who is God?" we reflect. We struggle to answer that as teachers, as parents, as theologians, as catechists – as Christians. Sometimes our answers fails to take into account the events by which God has spoken and continually speaks to us. He is constantly answering that question for us as he reveals himself to us in the intimacy of his own life. He is Father, Son, and Spirit – not because we have figured it out, but because He has spoken, communicated, revealed – shared with us.

"Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God… you received a Spirit of adoption through which we cry, ‘Father’… the Spirit of God bears witness that we are children of God, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if only we suffer with Him…" (Rom 8:14-17). Whatever we plan, wherever our thoughts go, whatever we say or do, be sure it is thought of, expressed and put into action in the name of our heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus the Incarnate Word, and in the name of the Holy Spirit – eternal thought, eternal loving, to whom all honor and glory belongs, one God forever.

Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity, Matthew 28:16-20.