It is commonplace to read news stories about businesses, governments, and retirees which have lost their savings, investments, proprietary information, and private data to cyber criminals.  You are probably aware that massive amounts of fraud and theft are perpetrated by criminals using digital technologies, but you might know which segment of the population is most vulnerable to cybercrime. 

According to a recent report by the FBI, teenagers and young adults are being affected most by the growing phenomenon of cybercrime. (“Four Big Takeaways From the FBI’s Report on Internet Crime,” WSJ, May 26, 2026)  This might seem surprising, but the FBI’s explanation of this growing phenomenon makes sense. 

Young people today have known only a world shaped by digital technology.  They are fluent in digital technology and believe that it is both reliable and a reliable source of information. Apparently, the ease with which they use digital technology, and their belief in its reliability, make them easy prey for those who make a dishonest living through deception.  According to the FBI’s recent report, increasing numbers of young people are falling victims to cybercrime because they tend not to question whether their online activities are safe to pursue. 

Human persons have a natural capacity for trust, but that capacity does not have natural limits.  Consequently, individuals can, and do, believe in the widest spectrum of propositions and experiences.  Believing, therefore, means almost nothing.  Believing rightly, however, is of the utmost importance.  Today’s feast, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, intends to keep the Church believing rightly.  The Scripture readings for today’s Liturgy were chosen with that goal in mind. 

In the first reading, God describes God’s nature by saying, “The Lord, the Lord, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity.” (Ex 34:6)  There are many images of God that are popular in our culture.  Some people believe in a god who decreed rules and laws that bring merciless punishment on those who disobey.  Others believe in a god who decreed rules and laws as an unrealistic ideal that no one is accountable to achieve.   

The Scriptures say that individual interpretation of God’s nature is neither necessary nor legitimate; God is the God who is faithful to the Covenant and, consequently, all Covenant members are bound to imitate God’s fidelity.  God’s graciousness and mercy are manifest in the invitation to participate in the covenant of redemption.  God is quick to forgive those who repent of their failure to fulfill the covenant, but God expects all people to live in habitual fidelity to God and God’s People. 

The Scriptural image of God differs significantly from cultural images of God.  The cultural images of God, namely, the god that is vindictive, the god that demands retribution, the god that coerces, the god that consents to dishonesty, the god that incites violence, the god that withholds kindness – these, and all the gods of unfaithfulness, are false gods. According to the Scriptures, any god that lacks perfect and universal graciousness, mercy, forgiveness, charity, and fidelity is a false god.  These, and all, false gods are neither to be believed in nor worshiped. 

The description of God’s nature that is found in the Scriptures intends to make each person question their beliefs.  According to God’s own testimony in the Scriptures, there is only One, True God, and that God is the only One deserving of belief.  Furthermore, the Scriptures say that the One, True God is easy to identify among the wide array of false gods because the One, True God always acts with perfect graciousness, mercy, forgiveness, charity, and fidelity toward all God’s creatures. 

The simple truth of God’s nature makes it a simple task to have certainty that one believes in the One, True God. Those whose actions lack graciousness, mercy, forgiveness, charity, and fidelity believe falsely.  Those whose behavior demonstrates the same graciousness, mercy, forgiveness, charity, and fidelity by which God defines God’s nature have come to know and believe in the Only True God. 

To say that one believes in something is a meaningless statement because everyone believes in something.  Criminals, for example, believe in something, but their believing does not make their criminal beliefs ethical or defensible.  Catholics believe in being gracious, merciful, and equitable toward all people, without regard to individual differences; any less than this amounts to belief in a false god.