Christians believe in one God who is a Trinity of persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each member of the Trinity is God; however, there are not three Gods because God is one. The classical definition for theology is faith seeking understanding.
This becomes more challenging when we speak about the Trinity because it is difficult to comprehend. There is a long-standing belief that St. Patrick used a three-leafed shamrock in order to teach the inhabitants of Ireland about the Holy Trinity.
In the fifth century he was using something familiar in order to teach about something that was extremely difficult to understand. If this symbol was used today, it would still be inadequate because it could not fully express the nature of this mystery. There is no analogy in the universe that can adequately express this divine reality.
Despite this fact, our faith still moves us to seek understanding. Prior to Jesus’ ascension we find the following passage in the Gospel of Matthew: “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
’”(Matthew 28:.
