Traditional Catholic Teaching - Lesson 8

Lesson 8 - Supplement A

Comments

1. Many people who read these lessons of Bishop Dwyer's may be members of Protestant denominations or non-practising Catholics who want a "refresher course" in traditional Christianity. Experience has shown us that often it is these people who have difficulty in feeling "at home" with the topic of the Trinity. There are historical reasons for this, and we hope this lesson together with its supplement helps readers feel very much at home with the Holy Trinity. We think it is one of the most important "topics" treated in this course of instruction, and we would like all our readers to have a better understanding of the Trinity no matter what their chosen denomination.

These lessons are in fact, an invitation to our readers to enjoy the privilege of active membership in the ancient universal Church where you have as much right to belong as anyone else. However, if you choose not so to do, we feel we can at least help you in your chosen denomination by strengthening vital understanding of crucial elements of Christian doctrine. This lesson on the Holy Trinity is one of them.

2. In this Supplement we thought it worth drawing attention to the ways in which we address each member of the Holy Trinity. You may have noticed how many popular radio or TV evangelists tend to refer to each member as though they were speaking about a buddy down the street. They manifest little real respect and really just use them to validate the points they are making. There is no sense of heightened respect nor evidence of feelings of awesomness.

We need to remember that the practice of referring to the first person of the Holy Trinity as "God" is a remnant of the Jewish practice to substitute the Holy Name of Yahweh which was whispered only once a year by the High Priest in the Holy of Holies. Christians, in the main, have retained this practice but without the understanding and devotion which should accompany the discipline. Catholic practice has evolved a number of titles to reflect the warmth and devotion His children should demonstrate. Thus we talk of our Heavenly Father, our loving Father, God our Father. or something equally as warm and respectful.

In traditional Christianity, when talking of or to the second person of the Holy Trinity, we may, on occasions, refer simply to Jesus by name – but that would be an exception. Consistent with our Jewish roots, we tend to reserve that use for when we are at prayer. Otherwise, out of veneration for his sacred name, we refer to God's Son as "our Lord" or something similar.

Regarding the Holy Spirit, some quote the Bible as precedent to refer to him as just "the Spirit". Traditional Christian practice over 2000 years, however, appends the respectful title of Holy, not in the least to honour his role in our sanctification.

3. We do not advocate strained or forced forms of address, but care in showing respect. It is worth noting that the tendency to downgrade respectful forms of addressing members of the Holy Trinity has parallelled the humanistic trend of deifying human achievement, power, freedom, and equality.

4. Supplement B offers a meditation on a short but beautiful Gospel passage which gives us an amazing insight into the workings of the Blessed Trinity, thanks to our Lord's revelation.

For those who feel so inclined, we have attached a set of readings (or rather meditations) on the Holy Trinity. These are worth a quiet reflection, one passage at a time (especially if they seem a little challenging). They are worth the effort for those who are seeking a more informed faith.

End of Lesson 8 Supplement A

Appendix: "The Holy Trinity and Us"

Supplement B: "The Gift of the Holy Spirit"

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