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METUCHEN — A trio of speakers shared their insights on the Holy Trinity June 4 following the annual Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.
The diocesan annual program of prayer and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, worship, reconciliation and Mass celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio was capped by presentations from the speakers, who explored the triune Father, Son and Holy Spirit’s place in our lives of faith.
In his witness talk entitled “Who is God the Father,” Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Luke Mary Fletcher, chaplain of the Blue Army Shrine, Asbury, declared that Pentecost is the moment we realize fully that God is a trinity.
“There are four aspects of God: the One who speaks, who sends, who watches and who welcomes,” Father Luke said. Illustrating these aspects in the parable of the prodigal son, he continued, “This life is a pilgrimage to the house of our Father. I would propose that the father had a third son, not older, not younger, but Eternal, whom he sent for this lost sheep… When the hour comes that we close our eyes and see the gates of heaven, God the Father will run out to greet you.”
Allan F. Wright, an author and principal of Koinonia Academy, a Catholic kindergarten to 12th grade school in the Archdiocese of Newark, spoke on the topic “Who is Jesus the Son.” Reading the story of Adam and Eve, he stated, “There are three results of their rebellion against God: they hid from God, from each other, and from themselves. Just as Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves, we continue the façade of covering.”
Wright concluded, “We need to be Christ-oriented, not disoriented, I am convinced Jesus is not concerned at all with our ability, but concerned about our availability.”
In his reflection on “Who is God the Holy Spirit,” Father Michael K. Tabernero said, “A relationship with the Holy Spirit was not a first language for me.”
Father Tabernero, who was ordained for the diocese in 2019 and serves as director of Catholic Identity and teaches theology at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, had decided in the seminary to enlist the help of Mary and the Holy Spirit in following Christ, realizing “Our Lady is like a mold — she formed us into the likeness of her Son, and the Holy Spirit is at work also.
“The last few popes have been speaking a lot about the new evangelization,” he continued, “but we have to have a new Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, they left the upper room and went forth, fire and joy igniting. We want to have that in our Church today.
“The goal is to have the hunger and the humility to ask for the help we need. We cannot do it on our own, but there is one who can. Our signs of baptism in the Spirit are a recognition of God as abba Father, that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and an awakening for mission. We need the desire to make Jesus known.”
