In one story, the great philosopher and theologian, St. Augustine of Hippo, wanted so much to understand the doctrine of the Trinity and to be able to explain it logically. In the story, St. Augustine was walking along the sea shore and reflecting on the mystery of the Holy Trinity when he saw a little child all alone on the shore. The child made a hole in the sand, ran to the sea with a little cup, filled her cup, came and poured it into the hole she had made in the sand. Back and forth she went to the sea, filled her cup with water, and came and poured it into the hole. St. Augustine went up to her and said, "Little child, what are you doing?" and she replied, "I am trying to empty the sea into this hole." "How do you think," St. Augustine asked her, "you can empty this immense sea into this tiny hole and with this tiny cup?" To which she replied, "And you, how do you suppose with this your small head you can comprehend the immensity of God?" With that the child disappeared.

Like St. Augustine, we may not be able to understand the how of the Trinity but do know in our hearts that God with all His goodness will continue to strengthen us as persons and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, accept this incomprehensible mystery as a fundamental article of faith.

In the church calendar, Trinity Sunday is a transitional day that bridges the two parts of the liturgical year — Advent and Pentecost. It is the solemn day on which the faithful praise and adore God both for what He has done for the world and for who He is: As Father, Creator and Sustainer of the world; as Son, Savior and Redeemer; and as Holy Spirit, Sanctifier and Comforter.

As a predominantly Christian nation, we join the millions of faithful whose lives have been blessed and continue to be enriched by their faith on a triune God.