First of all, I want to thank everyone who participated to make Pentecost Sunday such a wonderful day of worship. From the red clothes, to the gifts for teachers, the presentation, blessings and presents for the children, and of course a delicious reception, the morning had a great feeling to it. (For those of you watching online who were frustrated by our A/V issues, I do apologize. Please know that we are actively working to fix and improve this, with new equipment being installed this week).
Pentecost Sunday invited us into an examination and reflection on the Holy Spirit. This next Sunday, May 26, is Holy Trinity Sunday and it encourages us to dig even deeper. The Holy Trinity: “God in three persons, blessed trinity.” God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 1+1+1=1. But as the kids might say, “I’m not sure if that math is mathing.” God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Jesus Christ the only Son of God. The Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life. But, do you understand the Trinity?
Well, we tell our children, “it’s like an egg: there’s a shell, a yolk, and a clear liquid. They are different parts, but they form one egg.” Or, maybe we say, “it’s like water: it can exist as a solid (ice), a liquid (water), or a gas (steam)… but it’s all H2O.” Does that help? Does that make it clearer? Probably not.
The early Christians tried to figure it out, but much of their framework or language was labeled heresy – pantheism, tritheism, modalism, subordinationism. So we use fancy terms like “perichoresis” – the notion of “mutual indwelling.” But, I think if we are completely honest, we could just say, “I don’t really understand it. It’s a mystery.” And honestly…would you rather worship a God that is more complex than you can describe and comprehend, or a God that you fully understand?
“What if I don’t understand the trinity?” Then you’re probably in good company. So perhaps, maybe more important than trying to understand God, it is more important for us to share the stories of how we have actually experienced God. When do you rejoice in the beauty and majesty of creation? When have you experienced the presence of Christ as friend, teacher, or Lord? How has the Holy Spirit spoken truth and encouragement into your life?
Send me an email. Drop me a note. Let me know. Community is what God models to us as God exists as trinity. Share your story. I hope to hear from you soon.
Very truly,
Pastor Adam