Opinion
By Val Obienyem
IF the doctrine of the Holy Trinity were upheld only by the Catholic Church, it would have been far more difficult to present it convincingly to others. However, the teaching is not unique to Catholicism alone; it is held, in various forms, by almost all Christian traditions, with the exception of a few groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses. This wide acceptance gives the doctrine a strong shared Christian foundation, grounded in both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
The Holy Trinity is the central Christian belief that there is one God in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the faith the Church professes and teaches, supported by both biblical revelation and the lived tradition of the Church.
In his sermon, Fr. Maximus Okonkwo reminded the faithful that every time we make the Sign of the Cross, we publicly profess our faith in the Holy Trinity. It is in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit that we were baptised, and into this Trinitarian life we continue to live as Christians.
Fr. Maximus further emphasized that the purpose of reflecting on the Trinity is not to “solve” the mystery. As Pope Benedict XVI observed, the Trinity is not a mathematical problem to be solved, but a divine mystery to be contemplated and embraced in faith. Human reason can approach it, but it cannot exhaust it. Beyond the limits of reason, faith begins.
He noted that no human being can fully explain the mystery of God. Only God can reveal Himself as He truly is.
In the Book of Exodus, Moses asked God to reveal His glory. God responded that no one can see Him in His fullness and live. Moses was granted only a partial revelation, a glimpse of divine glory. This shows that while God is knowable, He is never fully comprehensible. He infinitely transcends the limits of human understanding. Yet, through the reason God has given us, we can still affirm true and meaningful insights about Him.
We profess one God in three Persons—not three gods, and not one Person appearing in three different forms, but three distinct Persons who are equal in divinity and share the one divine essence. This distinction is crucial to avoid misunderstanding the Christian faith.
One of the theological debates that emerged in Christian history concerns whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, or from the Father and the Son (the Filioque controversy). This issue became one of the contributing factors to the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches.
When we struggle to fully grasp this mystery, we are reminded of the well-known story of St Augustine. While reflecting on the Trinity by the seashore, he encountered a child attempting to pour the entire ocean into a small hole in the sand. The child explained that this was no more impossible than trying to fit the infinite mystery of God into the finite human mind. The lesson is clear: God’s infinity cannot be contained by human limitation.
Fr. Maximus also explained that the Trinity should not be illustrated as a tree with three branches or a tripod with three legs, as such images can wrongly suggest separation. Rather, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct Persons who share one divine essence and exist in perfect unity. Each Person is uniquely involved in God’s saving work: the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Spirit in sanctification. Yet, all three Persons act together inseparably in every divine work; whenever one is manifested, the others are not absent.
At its heart, the mystery of the Blessed Trinity is the mystery of divine love, for God is love. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son as the personal expression and bond of that eternal love.
He further pointed out that hints of this Trinitarian mystery already appear in the Old Testament. At creation, God says, “Let us make man in our image and likeness.” This plural language suggests a richness within the divine life that goes beyond a strictly singular expression. It cannot refer to angels, since angels do not possess creative power or divine authority.
The fullness of this revelation is made clear in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one.” When Philip asks, “Show us the Father,” Jesus responds, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” In these and many other passages, Christ reveals His unique unity with the Father and the divine glory He shares with Him.
Fr. Maximus concluded that the mystery of the Blessed Trinity is not only to be understood but to be lived. Through Baptism, every Christian is drawn into this Trinitarian communion, being baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
If we are truly to reflect the life of the Trinity, our lives must be shaped by love, unity, and communion. In our families, communities, and nation, we are called to live in harmony despite our diversity. This remains a fitting prayer for Nigeria: that we may reflect in our character and relationships the unity and love of the Blessed Trinity.
A.I
June 1, 2026
Tags: Val Obienyem