LESSON 5

THE TRINITY, SOURCE OF OUR CHRISTIAN VIRTUES

IN LIVING OUT A MORAL LIFE

LEARNING TARGETS

DOCTRINE: Point out the unity of the three distinct Persons in One God.

Explain the implication of understanding the doctrine of Trinity in one’s

moral life

MORALS: Participate in community building by joining and collaborating with others in

a communitarian project.

WORSHIP: Praise God for the desire of understanding the doctrine of the Trinity.

Man, is an intellectual creature, tends to explain everything around him; provide answer
to all questions as much as he can. However, our capacity to understand is limited especially on
the mystery of our faith. The story below will bring us into a realization that not everything can
be understood through reason. Observe the dialog of St. Augustine with a small boy.

St. Augustine and the Seashell

He was walking by the seashore one day contemplating and trying to understand
the mystery of the Holy Trinity when he saw a small boy running back and forth from the
water to a spot on the seashore. The boy was using a sea shell to carry the water from the
ocean and place in into a small hole in the sand. St. Augustine approached him and asked,
“My boy, what are you doing? “I am trying to bring all the sea into this hole,” the boy,
replied with a sweet smile. “But that is impossible, my dear child, the hole cannot contain
all that water” said Augustine. The boy paused in his work, stood up, looked into the eyes
of the Saint, and replied, “ It is no more impossible than what you are trying to do-
comprehend the immensity of the mystery of the Holy Trinity with your small
intelligence.”

Human as we are, we are always in search of meaning. We are never satisfied until we
know the answers to our questions. This attitude brings us to deeper understanding on the
realities of our existence, our origin and our final destiny.
 St. Paul explains the relationship of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It was in the
Mind of God that through Christ, humanity will enjoy the richness of the freedom of God’s
children. Because he willed us to be his sons and daughters God sent forth his beloved Son so
that through his blood we may be capable of receiving his Spirit.

The practicality of the Trinity is clear in John 13-17. The disciples were deeply troubled
at Jesus’ words about leaving them, thinking it would break in their relationship with God. But
Jesus spoke tenderly to them, giving them guidance for continuing their walk with God after his
departure. In giving this instruction, Jesus spoke about God’s Trinitarian nature. This passage of
Scripture teaches that knowing God as three in one should be at the centre of our daily
relationship with him.

The Church provides us the truths that enable us to deepen our understanding and
appreciation of the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity. Let us open our minds and be ready to the
teachings of the Church.

The Dogma of the Trinity

The Bible does not mention the word Trinity, but it reveals to us the mystery of a
Trinitarian God. This is a mystery that God reveals to us. In Greek, the term mysterion (or
mystery) refers to what was previously hidden but is now revealed to us through the revelation
of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Not all truths about God are understood by man, there are
those that remain a mystery, which man cannot fully grasp.

The Trinity is One

In CCC 253-254, the Church teaches that we do not confess three God, but one God in
three persons, the “consubstantial Trinity.” The divine persons do not share the one divinity
among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire: “The Father is that which the Son
is, the Son that which the Father is, that Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is’’. The
divine persons are really distinct from one another.

“God is one but not solitary.’’ “Father,’’ “Son”, “Holy Spirit” are not simply designating
modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another. “He is not the Father
who is the Son, nor is the Son he who is the Father, nor is the Holy Spirit he who is the Father or
the Son. They are distinct from one another in their relations of origin. “It is the Father who
generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds. The divine Trinity is
triune.

Now this is the Catholic faith: we worship one God in trinity and the Trinity in unity,
without either confusing the persons or dividing the substance; for the person of the Father is
one, the Son’s is another, the Holy Spirit’s another; but the Godhead of the Father, son and Holy
Spirit is one, their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.

The mystery of the Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the
mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light
that enlightens them.

ACTIVITY SHEET 5

I. DIRECTIONS: Read and understand the following questions. Write your answer in the
space provided.

A. Fill up the chart by explaining the different truths about the Blessed Trinity.
Truths about the Trinity Explain in your words

1. God is One

2. The Three Divine Persons are Equal

3. The Three Divine Persons are Distinct

B. The doctrine of the Blessed Trinity calls each one of us to an authentic worship and true display
of faith in the Blessed Trinity. What are the possible ways of displaying your faith to the Blessed
Trinity?

At home

In school
In the Church

C. Explain your prayer to God for a deeper understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity.

II. DIRECTIONS: Identify what is being described or referred to by the following phrases.
Choose your answer from the box. Write the letter of your choice in the blank.
1. _________ is the one who generates

2. _________ reveals to us the mystery of a Trinitarian God.

3. _________ is the one who saves.

4. _________ means distinct from the other but inseparable, interdependent, and eternally united
in one God.

5. _________ is Triune.

6. _________ was previously hidden but now is revealed to us through the revelation of God in the
person of Jesus Christ.

7. _________ was present with God the Father when Jesus was baptized.

8. _________ is a mystery central to our Christian faith and life.

9. _________ is a celebration in which we proclaim our faith in the Holy Trinity.

10. ________ assured the apostles to send somebody as their guidance and strength.

III. DIRECTIONSS: Answer the questions briefly but concisely.

1. What is the Holy Trinity?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.

2. Identify the distinction of the Three Persons in the Holy Trinity.

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________.

3. How is your faith affected by the phrase “Trinity as One”?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________.

4. How does your understanding and appreciation of the mystery of the Holy Trinity challenge
your moral life?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________.

LESSON 6
GOD, THE JUST, LOVING AND MERCIFUL FATHER

LEARNING TARGETS

DOCTRINE: explain the Scriptural passage depicting God as a loving and merciful Father
 MORALS: promote justice and mercy by accepting and forgiving others despite their
offenses and limitations

WORSHIP: praise God for His great love and mercy to all mankind.

We exist in this world because of our parents. Father and mother work together to support
us in all our needs. In so many ways, they have shown their love for us; praise us when we succeed,
correct us when we are wrong. Our father specifically, being the symbol of strength in the family,
strives hard to see that we, children, are well provided and are enjoying our lives to the fullest.

What does the Bible say?

Throughout His ministry, Jesus shows how merciful God is. He made use of parables like
the Prodigal Son, the Lost Coin, The Lost Sheep. Jesus shows that God is always willing to embrace
again the repentant sinner. By His deeds, Jesus reveals that God is Merciful. He chooses Matthew
to be one of his disciples. He heals the sick and forgives their sins. He does not judge sinners,
instead, He welcomes them and encourages them to turn a new life.

Then He said,” A Man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘ Father, give
me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between
them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to
one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of
the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him away. Coming to his senses at last, he
thought, ‘ How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am
I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “ Father, I have
sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called you son; treat me as you
would treat one of your hired workers.” ‘So he got up and went back to his father. While he was
still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his
son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against you: I no
longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘quickly bring the finest
robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and
slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and has come to
life again; he was lost, and has been found. ‘Then the celebration began. –Luke 15: 11-24
What does the Church teach?

The Church pointed out that by love, God has revealed Himself and has given Himself to
man. He has, thus provided the definitive answer to the questions that man asks himself about the
meaning and purpose of his life.

God’s love for Israel is compared to a father’s love for his son. His love for his people is
stronger than a mother’s for her children. God loves His people more than a bridegroom to his
beloved; His love will be victorious over even the worst infidelities and will extend to His most
precious gift. “ God so love the world that He gave His only Son.”

God’s love is “everlasting”. “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but
my steadfast love shall not depart from you.” Through Jeremiah, God declares to His people, “I
have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you (CCC
219-220).

Our good intentions and energies cannot be the source of merciful acts but rather God’s
grace. God is rich in mercy. Because of his great love for us, he brought us to life with Christ when
we were dead in sin (CFC 972).

The love and forgiveness that we have received from God and the Church calls us to love
our neighbour, too, and extend loving mercy to those who have trespassed against us. Dives in
Misericordia (7) explains, “ The world will only become more human if, along with justice, we
introduce into relations among men merciful love and forgiveness, the fundamental condition for
reconciliation.”

God loves us unconditionally and will readily forgive our sins for He is rich in mercy.
Despite our sinfulness, God will never abandon us.

ACTIVITY SHEET 6

I. DIRECTIONS: On the space provided, enumerate the good qualities of a father by

making an acronym. Then below the acronym, explain why these qualities are necessary.

F____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
________________________.

A____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
________________________.

I____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________.

T____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
________________________.

H____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
________________________.

II. COMPLETION: Complete each statement by writing the correct answer on the blank
space. Choose your answer from the given options.

1. The unfaithfulness of ________________________________ does not stop God from

loving man.

2. He also demands that the members of His chosen people imitate His
____________________________.

3. Throughout His ____________________________ Jesus shows how merciful God is.

4. He does not judge sinners, instead He ______________ them and __________________

them to turn a new life.

5. God’s Spirit keeps us _________________. His mercy and love will help us see through
the difficulties in our lives.
III. DIRECTIONS: Read the passages below and explain their message in relation to God
as our Father.

Isaiah 6:4-7

And now, O Lord, thou art our Father, and we

are clay: and thou art our maker, and we all are
works of thy hands.
Matthew 6:8

Do not be like them. Your Father knows what

you need, even before you ask him.
Colossians 1:12

Constantly give thanks to the father who has

empowered us to receive our share in the
inheritance of the saints in his kingdom of light.
 LESSON 5

THE TRINITY, SOURCE OF OUR CHRISTIAN VIRTUES

IN LIVING OUT A MORAL LIFE

LEARNING TARGETS

DOCTRINE: Point out the unity of the three distinct Persons in One God.

Explain the implication of understanding the doctrine of Trinity in one’s moral life

MORALS: Participate in community building by joining and collaborating with others in a

communitarian project.

WORSHIP: Praise God for the desire of understanding the doctrine of the Trinity.

Content Standard:

- The learners will be able to recognize that the integrity of life is a life founded on virtues and has its source
and origin from the unity of the three Persons in One God.

Performance Standard:

- The learners will collaborate in a group or community activities that could promote awareness on the
importance of sharing and helping one another for a common goal.

FORMATION GOAL/CORE VALUES:

-Students will be able to learn the virtues of unity, cooperation, solidarity,and spirit of voluntarism just
like with God in the Three Divine Persons.
TRANSFER GOAL:
-Students will be able to understand the virtues express in the unity of the Holy Trinity.
MATERIALS AND REFERENCES:
-Bible,-CCC, CFC, Compendium of the Church
 LESSON 6

GOD, THE JUST, LOVING AND MERCIFUL FATHER

LEARNING TARGETS

DOCTRINE: explain the Scriptural passage depicting God as a loving and merciful Father

MORALS: promote justice and mercy by accepting and forgiving others despite their offenses and

limitations

WORSHIP: praise God for His great love and mercy to all mankind.

Content Standard:

- The learners will be able to understand the meaning of the attribute that God’s justice is His mercy.

Performance Standard:

- The learners will be able to understand the meaning of the attribute that God’s justice is His mercy.

FORMATION GOAL/CORE VALUES:

-Students will be able to learn the virtues of Compassion, forgiveness, charity and peace.

TRANSFER GOAL:

-Students will be able to understand the God’s mercy as His mercy.

MATERIALS AND REFERENCES:

-Bible,-CCC, CFC, Compendium of the Church