Junior High Session
Proverbs 8:22-31
John 16:12-15

Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
God, we praise you Father all-powerful,
Christ Lord and Savior, Spirit of love.
You reveal yourself in the depths of our being,
drawing us to share in your life and your love.
One God, three Persons,
be near to the people formed in your image,
close to the world your love brings to life.
Amen.
(From Alternative Opening Prayer, Trinity Sunday)

Opening Life Reflection
On this Feast of the Holy Trinity we celebrate our belief in a God who is one God in three persons. To begin today’s session brainstorm about what images come to mind when we think of God. Provide paper and markers and invite the young people to draw their images of God. Explain that their expressions can be abstract or as simple as different stokes of color.

Allow time for each youngster to share his or her drawing. Explain that God is mystery. We believe that there is one God in three Persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We call this the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Listening to the Word of God
In the first reading listen to how Wisdom was with God from the beginning of creation.

Read Proverbs 8:22-31.
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters
• When does Wisdom come to exist?
• What part does Wisdom play in creation?
• How is Wisdom described?

In the gospel reading listen to Jesus describe the unity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Read John 16:12-15.
Allow for silence.

• How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit?
• How is the Holy Spirit one with Jesus?
• How is Jesus one with God the Father?

Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings.

In the Old Testament reading we are given a poetic description of Wisdom. Before and during creation, Wisdom is with God. Wisdom knows the secrets of the universe and she delights in the human race. The author of today’s first reading brings reassurance to the people of Israel who have had their faith shaken by the events of the exile. This reading offers comfort to God’s people who are fearful and uncertain about their future. Christian faith finds in this passage a foreshadowing of Christ, whom Paul calls the very “wisdom of God.”

In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples about the Spirit of truth. The union of the Spirit with God the Father and Son is apparent when Jesus tells his disciples that the Spirit does not speak on his own.

The early followers of Jesus recognized the Spirit of Jesus as a source of truth, comfort and guidance. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, his disciples came to a better understanding of all he had revealed to them during his ministry. The promised Spirit was the source of that deeper understanding. The disciples realized that the Holy Spirit was the one who would guide them to the truth. In today’s gospel, Jesus promises that the Spirit will come. By the time John’s Gospel was written the Christian community had already recognized the presence of the Spirit with them.

Questions for Deeper Reflection
• How is the Holy Spirit described in these readings?
• Why is the Spirit said to be a source of truth?
• How do these readings shed light on our belief in the Holy Trinity?

[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]

Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Holy Trinity
As Christians we believe in one God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are baptized in the name--not “names”--of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for we believe that there is only one God. When we bless ourselves saying, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” we are professing our belief in the Holy Trinity.

Because the Trinity is the mystery of God’s very self, Catholic teaching describes the Trinity as the central mystery of our Christian faith. This mystery is reflected in the way we pray. We begin Mass in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

• Why do we bless ourselves in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
• How do you express your belief in the Trinity?
• How does your belief in the Trinity help your relationship with God?

The Gospel in Life
Love unites the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. How can you be a unifying force in your relationships with family and friends?

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Guide, theme 7
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapter 5
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 7

Connecting to Faith First® Original Edition
At Home Guide, theme 7
Junior High, Creed and Prayer, chapter 5
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapter 4