Sunday May 31, 2026 • The Most Holy Trinity
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. — 2 Corinthians 13: 13
This final verse in 2 Corinthians is one of the clearest trinitarian passages in the New Testament. Second Corinthians is generally dated about the autumn of A.D. 57 and the commendation means that the Trinity was understood by early Christians who did not have to be taught about the relationship of the Godhead. On Trinity Sunday, we celebrate our faith in a triune God who invites us into right relationship with God and with each other. Indeed, the passage before the final conclusion affirms this thinking, “Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11). To understand right relationship in its fullest sense, you have to understand the Hebrew word, shalom.
Most know that the Hebrew word shalom is understood around the world to mean “peace.” However, “peace” is only one small part of the meaning. Hebrew words go beyond their spoken pronunciation. Each Hebrew word conveys feeling, intent and emotion. Shalom is more than just simply peace; it is a complete peace, the gift of personal fullness of life—physical, social, spiritual-well-being that results in wholeness and harmony. Shalom means peaceful relationships within home, church, community, nation, world, and above all, peace with God. In Hebrew biblical thought, these are the foundations on which hope for the world must rest.
We can look to the late Pope Francis for an example of relationship gone amuck: Until exclusion and inequality in society and between peoples are reversed, it will be impossible to eliminate violence. The poor and the poorer peoples are accused of violence, yet without equal opportunities the different forms of aggression and conflict will find a fertile terrain for growth and eventually explode. When a society – whether local, national or global – is willing to leave a part of itself on the fringes, no political programs or resources spent on law enforcement or surveillance systems can indefinitely guarantee tranquility. This is not the case simply because inequality provokes a violent reaction from those excluded from the system, but because the socioeconomic system is unjust at its root (11/24/13The Joy of the Gospel, 59).
Let us build a world of right relationships. Shalom, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, NC