SUNDAY OF THE TRINITY
May 30, 2021
“Children of One Father”
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ — if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17)
Trinity Sunday is exceptional as the one day of the year set aside to focus on God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the individual characteristics of each. Following the Day of Pentecost, when those listening to the apostles were able to understand in their own languages, the person and the work of the Holy Spirit is clearly revealed. The message of three persons embodied in one God, each with specific characteristics, comes into focus.
The apostles, having lived as observant Jews, had a foundational belief in God as the creator of all and Father of his people. Called by Jesus, they followed him faithfully and learned all that he had to teach them, and then saw him crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. They and many others believed unequivocally that Christ truly was God’s own Son. The promise of the third person of God occurred during Jesus’ years of ministry with his disciples, as he spoke of returning to his place with his heavenly Father, assuring them that they would not be left alone.
The work of the Holy Spirit is described in many ways — as an advocate and guide to all truth in John’s Gospel to one who creates unity among diverse groups. In these verses from Romans, we learn that the Spirit leads us to be children of God, and bears witness to our adoption, which makes us joint heirs with Christ. In a few verses, the Apostle Paul is able to sum up that the three in one are at work in our lives and in the world, bringing us together in the family of God.
The richness of the three persons of God, the completeness that is offered to believers, is a theme in many of the teachings of the apostles as they traveled throughout the known world, spreading the Gospel. This unity and harmony is used as an example for faith communities, that they are to celebrate the varied gifts and abilities among members, making everyone welcome in the calling to serve others and share the Good News.
As we look forward to worshiping together in person, once again we will be privileged to share in the timeless statement of faith of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God the Father . . . I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son . . . I believe in the Holy Spirit . . .” . And once again, we worship and praise God as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, as we gather as one in the body of Christ.
Feeling blessed and joy-filled,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers