The Most Holy Trinity

The Inexpressible Mystery

The God of the universe is mysterious. Science has not been able to solve the mystery of how the universe came into being or explain exactly what continues to give it creative energy and masterful design. No religion asserts that it has found words to name fully the ineffable mystery of God, for no matter what name we use, God always transcends our limited ability to understand. God is a mystery to be believed, not known. And yet, we Christians believe that our name for God best expresses that inexpressible mystery: God is the Most Holy Trinity of three persons united in a communion of love, pouring forth that creative, saving, sanctifying love into the world. Today’s scriptures celebrate the mystery of the Trinity and give us clues for living that mystery in our lives.

— Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday, May 31 — 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM (Spanish)
• Monday, June 1 — 8:30 AM
• Wednesday, June 3 — No Mass
• Thursday, June 4 — No Mass
• Friday, June 5 — 8:30 AM
• Saturday, June 6 — 8:30 AM & 5:30 PM
• Sunday, June 7 — 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM (Spanish)

Announcements

Parish Events & Notices

Totus Tuus VBS — Totus Tuus VBS will be coming to St. John on June 21–26. This is a free program for all children of the parish. Registration in the parish hall today after Mass. Please help us make this a success by signing up to volunteer during day or evening programs, to bring meals for our missionaries, and/or for additional items that are needed.

Knights of Columbus — The Knights of Columbus will meet Monday evening at 6:30. All men of the parish are welcome.

Baby Bottle Campaign — The Mother’s Guild has partnered with In His Image Pregnancy Resource Center. Collect a baby bottle at the entrance or parish hall, fill with “Change for Life.” Online donations at givebutter.com/babybottle2026. Return filled bottles by June 14.

Parish Yard Sale — Saturday, June 13, 7:00 AM–1:00 PM. 10’x10’ space $15; with 8’ table $20 (while supplies last). See Mother’s Guild at end of Mass to register.

Welcome New Parishioners — Please fill out a registration form found in the hall or vestibule, and put it in the collection basket. You can also register online.

Ushers & Greeters — Please consider filling a ministry needed in our parish as an usher and greeter. Contact the office if you can help.

Mass Intentions — Mass Intention forms can be found in the vestibule and hall. If you fill one out, please put it in the collection basket.

Word Among Us — Pick up the June issue of the Word Among Us on the table in the hall or vestibule.

Online Giving — Use the parish QR code to make your donation online.

Holy Trinity

“The Father is my trust, the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my protection. O holy Trinity, glory to Thee.” — Byzantine Horologion, Troparion at Nocturns, sixth century

Today’s Readings

First Reading — The Lord, merciful and gracious, rich in kindness and faithfulness (Exodus 34:4b–6, 8–9).

Psalm — Glory and praise for ever! (Daniel 3).

Second Reading — Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Live with one another in peace, and the God of peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11–13).

Gospel — God did not send the Son to condemn the world, but to give it abundant life (John 3:16–18).

Readings for the Week

Monday: 2 Cor 1:1–7; Ps 34:2–9; Mt 5:1–12

Tuesday: 2 Cor 1:18–22; Ps 119:129–133, 135; Mt 5:13–16

Wednesday: 2 Cor 3:4–11; Ps 99:5–9; Mt 5:17–19

Thursday: 2 Cor 3:15 — 4:1, 3–6; Ps 85:9ab, 10–14; Mt 5:20–26

Friday: 2 Cor 4:7–15; Ps 116:10–11, 15–18; Mt 5:27–32

Saturday: 2 Cor 5:14–21; Ps 103:1–4, 9–12; Mt 5:33–37

Next Sunday: Dt 8:2–3, 14b–16a; Ps 147:12–15, 19–20; 1 Cor 10:16–17; Jn 6:51–58

Reflecting on the Word

During retreats, I often ask the participants to close their eyes and tell me the first image that comes to mind when I speak the word “God.” Those who tell me that they see an old man with a long beard, very strong and stern, will typically respond to a later question (“Who do we know God to be?”) with words such as strict, the law, precise, etc. It has always fascinated me that adults tend not to notice the overwhelming number of times in the scriptures that God is spoken of as gracious and kind and loving—“slow to anger, full of compassion”—but rather see God primarily as a strict and punitive being. Their entire relationship with God is based on this understanding of God. But children tend to see their relationship with God as one that is based in joy and the dignity of partnership.

In the reading from Exodus, God self-reveals primarily as the One who embodies goodness and truth—hesed and emeth in Hebrew—both central themes in the Hebrew understanding of covenant. Hesed is almost untranslatable as it encompasses attributes such as mercy, loyalty, compassion, and love beyond all understanding, and is used to describe God’s contribution to the covenantal relationship that humanity is called into. Emeth is generally translated as “truth,” but it is also dependability and faithfulness. God reaches out to humanity with the promise of almost unlimited and unconditional forgiveness and the promise of walking with humanity through the consequences of human choices that damage the covenant.

Children see this face of God easily and the natural prayer response from children as young as three years old is a whispered “thank you” that is so full of awe that I am often left speechless and deeply touched. As Daniel sings his song of praise, the little child lives God’s praise in their ability to see God as the One with goodness and faithfulness who calls them into covenant and promises the fullness of life. And the child walks into this relationship with implicit trust in the One who has called them.

— Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.