The Gospel of John 16:12-15 Jesus said to the disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost to honor the Holy Trinity: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The day emphasizes the unity of the three divine Persons and is observed by various denominations, including Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Reformed churches. Historically, the feast became widely recognized in the 14th century, when Pope John XXII established it for the entire Church.
The concept of the Trinity can never be completely understood or rationalized, but it is clearly taught in Scripture. Understanding of all scriptural doctrine is by faith which comes through the work of the Holy Spirit; therefore, it is appropriate that this mystery is celebrated the first Sunday after Pentecost, when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit first occurred. On Trinity Sunday, the Christian Church ponders with joy and thanksgiving what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have done to accomplish the salvation of humanity. It is brought to remembrance how Christians should respond to the love God has shown us, praising Him and giving Him glory. We remember the Father as our Creator, the Son as our Savior and the Holy Spirit as our Comforter.
Collect for Trinity Sunday: Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Let us pray God in three persons, blessed Trinity, we pray for peace in the world, in our communities and our families: create in us a love for peace, not peace that is absent from struggle, nor peace that is blind to injustice but the peace that makes whole what now is broken. This we pray in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
I dedicate this reflection to my brother Everett and my son Royce, who I miss every day.
The Trinity is not simple. But, if you think about it, most of reality is not simple. Family relationships are complicated. And yet, for some reason, when it comes to God, we want simple answers, we don’t want to think. But do we really want a God who is less mysterious than figuring our family relationships? The Trinity isn’t just a concept. The triune God is present among us and ready to meet us. But it is not easy for us to approach God because we think we don’t understand God. God is with us all the time and God is alive.
Today’s Gospel is a powerful passage where Jesus speaks to His disciples about the coming of the Spirit of Truth. He acknowledges that there is much more He wants to reveal, but they are not ready to bear it yet. Instead, He assures them that the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth, coming from the Father and glorifying Christ. This passage highlights the dynamic nature of divine revelation: truth unfolds gradually, and the Spirit continues to illuminate hearts and minds. It also reinforces the unity within the Holy Trinity, as the Spirit takes what belongs to Christ and declares it to believers. A key takeaway is the importance of spiritual readiness. Just as the disciples needed time to fully grasp Jesus’ teachings, we too must remain open to the Spirit’s guidance in our lives. The passage invites us to trust in God’s timing and seek wisdom through prayer and reflection. We live in a world that seems to have fallen so far from God that we can sometimes see ourselves in a privileged position. We think we know the teachings of the faith. But, as Jesus reminds us, you never stop learning. There are depths to the Word and the working of God you have not yet discovered. So, we gather to be drawn again deeply into the wisdom of God’s Word. We set aside our privileged position and humbly experience the wonder of His work. Through the waters of baptism, God brings you to life. He claims you as a child of His Kingdom. He promises to work for you, forgiving your sins, but He also promises to work through you, forming you into a witness to the world. Throughout the gospels we see God is about life with love, a union of the three persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A manifestation of the love God has for His children. He has made us His children by the gift of the Holy Spirit. As God’s children what is our task in this time and place. At this moment in our history, we are still in a time of deep wounds. So, what is our task? Our task is to continue as healers, helping to heal the deep wounds, deep suspicions, anger, and confusion. Sometimes we might wish we could live in an age of peace and a time without conflict, but remember, God has placed us here in this time and this place for a purpose. We need to be those healers who can help pull people back, to help restore civility and reason in a period of time when we are being challenged. We can do it. WE CAN DO IT WITH GOD’S HELP! We need to trust in our faith and let our faith override our fear. The Trinity offers us a model of sharing, belonging and community. It also challenges our individualism and our demand that our rights be met all the time. The Trinity asks us to be mindful of our responsibilities to those around us in our families, our neighborhood, and our church community. The Trinity also shows a loving God that is willing to become as we are so that we may become like Him, like Him as in His son Jesus. Consider, The doctrine of the Trinity as a gracious gift of God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, they have existed for eternity in perfect communion and fellowship with one another. Jesus is spiritually unified with his father. They are distinct persons but one God. His Father lives in him and he lives in his Father. Now He is praying for a similar unity for us. “Father, may they be one as we are one? Would you live in them and do your work through them?” It is as if we are with our heavenly Father in relationship with him that we become unified with believers who are also with him. The key word is “with.” That’s what Christianity is, going through life day by day WITH Jesus and the Father. As God, He saw fit to extend the divine fellowship to creation. God has graciously revealed himself to us as he truly is – the blessed Trinity. So today as we celebrate Trinity Sunday, remember we are always together with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
As we close let us pause and reflect on The Trinity as a unifying catalyst. One that will help guide us, one that can bring us together, one that provides us with Hope and gives us the courage to go out into the world as healers. So, it is important to see that there can be wonderful possibilities for the future, optimism about the future – we can see the many unrealized possibilities and hope based on the creativity and inexhaustible wealth of possibilities God offers.
Let us Pray: Dear God, we pray on this Trinity Sunday that the world will see that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit can bring us together as you have brought the Trinity together as one. Unit us as God’s children and show us the wonderful possibilities you can give us, we pray this in your name Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pastor Bob.
Reflections by Bob 