The Gospel of Matthew 28:16-20 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Epistle: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
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 your Son Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen
I dedicate this reflection to my brother Everett and my son Royce, who I miss every day
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost to honor the Holy Trinity: the Father, The Son and The 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.
The Trinity: God the Father – LOVE, Jesus the Son – MERCY, The Holy Spirit – COMFORT.
God is about life with love, a union of the three beings 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 in a time of deep wounds. So, what is our task? Our task is to become healers, help to heal the deep wounds, deep suspicions, anger, and confusion. We need to accept the same commission He gave His disciples. He then sends these faithful followers of his to “go forth and preach.” He commissions his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations.” They were to baptize and teach. Their mission was to share with peoples of all nations what Jesus had taught them. The opening scene of today’s Gospel is on a mountain in Galilee. Jesus had instructed his disciples to travel to this mountain. When the disciples arrived, Jesus appeared to them. When they realized that it was Jesus who was in their midst, they were excited and overjoyed! And they worshiped Him! Jesus approached them and spoke to them. He said, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He then sends these faithful followers of his to “go forth and preach.” He commissions his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations.” They were to baptize and teach. Their mission was to share with peoples of all nations what Jesus had taught them. As we go out into the world 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. This follows Jesus’ own instructions in which he underlines the necessity of doing what he teaches and not merely paying lip service. Our actions should reflect our beliefs. Statements of faith are important within communities, but Matthew reminds us that faith without appropriate behavior is empty. 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, though they have existed for eternity in perfect communion and fellowship with one another. 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 we celebrate Trinity Sunday, together with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 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 all challenged. We can do it. WE CAN DO IT WITH GOD’S HELP! 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. Matthew closes with what is perhaps one of the most comforting statements in Scripture. Jesus, as Lord of all, promises to be with us, the church, always, even until the end of everything. This continuing, abiding presence of Jesus is a profound promise. 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. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Jesus appeared to us? Ask yourself: how do you think you would respond if Jesus appeared to you and then instructed you to “Go forth and teach all nations?” Seriously, ask yourself that question and take a few moments to notice your inner reaction. 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
Reflections by Bob 