The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Embracing Doubt to go Forth in Love

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

Gracious Creator, grant us strength to embrace uncertainty with unwavering faith. Jesus, instill courage as we navigate doubt with mercy, knowing your eternal love remains. Holy Spirit, guide us to deeper faith through uncertainty, revealing divine mysteries.

Share a story of when you had to move forward even though you had doubts.

Fr. Hugh Lavery, MM shakes hands with an internee in Manzanar relocation camp. (Maryknoll Mission Archives)

Amidst the tumultuous backdrop of Executive Order 9066, signed by President Roosevelt in 1942, Maryknoll responded to the doubt of others evolving into hope for Japanese Americans. This order unjustly imprisoned 120,000 Americans of Japanese descent. Maryknoll missioners, who had long nurtured Catholic communities on the West Coast, found themselves navigating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. In the face of doubt and adversity, the missioners worked tirelessly to protect Japanese Americans, but many were confined to makeshift concentration camps.

Father Hugh Lavery’s extensive outreach in internment camps and Father Leopold Tibesar’s efforts to secure releases for college-aged prisoners exemplify the Manzanar relocation camp. (Maryknoll Mission Archives) missioners’ accompaniment of those in doubt and fear. As life within the camps took a toll, Maryknoll Sisters and Fathers continued to provide spiritual solace, education, and care for orphaned children. Despite the harsh conditions, hope emerged as Maryknollers persisted in their mission. This transformative journey unfolded in the post-war lives of people who went on to become dedicated Maryknoll missioners themselves, embodying a powerful testament to resilience and hope amidst adversity. (Maryknoll Magazine Dec 2021)

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”. Mt 28:16-20

As Jesus sent the disciples to go forth on mission to all nations, we hear that they had doubts. Doubt can be seen as a stumbling block. However, paradoxically embracing doubt can be an opportunity for mutual learning, solidarity and growth. If we are grounded in love and understanding, we can find greater clarity. Then together, as missionary disciples, we can live out our baptismal commitment to join the Trinity in the great adventure of mission. Just as the Trinity epitomizes a community of love, we, in their name, become the living embodiment of that love in the world.

What are the doubts that you and your community need to address and resolve before you can go forth to make new disciples today?

This week, commit yourself to accompany one person who is struggling with doubt. Extend a hand to them, lend an ear to their story and worries, and offer your presence. Become a tangible embodiment of God’s love in their life. Notice how this experience enriches your own connection with God.

Most Holy Trinity, enflame us with passion. Send us forth into the world to be a living sign of your love.