TRINITY SUNDAY

THE FESTIVAL OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY is the last major feast of the Christian year. It celebrates our God, Who has revealed Himself in the three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is a Mystery of Faith that is not easily understood.

CHRISTIANITY is the only monotheistic religion, for the true God is One, existing in the Three Persons of the Holy and Glorious Trinity. Jesus taught this when He said, “Behold, the Lord our God is One Lord.” He thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

NOTE: It has become popular to say the Holy Ghost leads the Church into new truths. That is impossible. The Holy Ghost can only take the things of Christ and declare them unto us. He brought to the Apostles’ remembrance Christ’s words while He was with them on earth. For this reason, we continue with the Apostolic doctrine. As St. Jude wrote, “The Faith once delivered unto the Saints” (Jude 1: 3).

There is perfect harmony among the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, which inspires you not only to admiration but also to awe or what is known as Holy Fear. You have been created by God the Father, Redeemed by God the Son unto eternal life, and strengthened by God the Holy Ghost for victorious Christian living in and through the Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity – The Acorn, St. Ignatius Parish, Riverside, CA

The Creed of Saint Athanasius is an official formulary of The Anglican Catholic Church, having come to us from the Ancient Church and having been received and required to be used three times a year in The Church of England. Unfortunately, this Creed did not enter the American Prayer Book. As it has been long appointed to be used on Trinity Sunday, we are using it today in keeping with the ancient practice of the Church. In so doing, we bind ourselves to the Christians down through the ages that have used this statement to defend the Catholic Faith. You may remember that Saint Athanasius was almost the sole defender of the Faith in his day against the heresy of Arianism around the year 325. He spent more time in exile from his Diocese than he enjoyed being the Father of God to his people. The phrase was coined, “Athanasius against the world!” In the end, the Church did come around to accepting his position as expressive of the Catholic Faith and rejecting the heresy put forth by Arius. This was due, in large part, to the faithfulness of this one man and his small band of followers who stood with him. They demonstrated that just because everyone believes something to be accurate doesn’t make it so. A majority vote does not determine Faith. They would not compromise, they did not seek to appease, and they would not surrender any of that which Christ had delivered to His Apostles. The heretics were far and away in the majority, as they expressed the popular opinion of their day. In the end, St. Athanasius won the victory for Christ as he stood for Him.

A fisherman lowers a net into calm water at sunrise on the Sea of Galilee while Jesus stands beside him, symbolizing faith and trust after a night of empty nets.

Nevertheless at Thy Word: Faith in the Midst of Empty Nets

by Fr. Dan Farley | Jul 5, 2026 | Trinity

Sermon Excerpt — Trinity 5
Luke 5:1–11
Have you ever worked hard at something, only to come up empty? Simon Peter knew that feeling well. After a long night of fishing, he and his companions had caught nothing. Exhausted and discouraged, they returned to shore and began washing their nets—resigned to failure.

It was in that very moment that Jesus stepped in and said, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets.”

By all human reasoning, this made no sense. The night was over. The opportunity had passed. Yet Peter responds with remarkable faith:“Nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net.”

Those four words change everything.

Peter obeys—and the result is abundance beyond imagination. The nets overflow. The boats nearly sink. What began in exhaustion ends in overwhelming blessing.

This passage reminds us that faith often looks like simple obedience in difficult moments. Not when we feel strong or confident, but when we are tired, uncertain, and ready to give up. Christ does not wait for us to be perfect or prepared—He meets us in our weakness and calls us to trust Him.

Whatever “empty nets” you are carrying today, bring them to Christ. And then, like Peter, say: “Nevertheless at thy word.” Cast the net once more—and trust that He is faithful.