Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1-8
Gospel: John 3:1-17
Epistle: Romans 8:12-17
We are in San Diego for two weeks
and I was unable to write my post on Sunday, but I didn’t want to let the week
pass without a comment. Next Sunday we
will also be in San Diego, but hopefully I will be able to write a reflection
on time. Last Sunday was the beginning of
“Ordinary Time,” which simple means counted time. From now until Advent, the
weeks will be counted from Pentecost.
The first Sunday after Pentecost is
also Trinity Sunday. The earliest
heresies, and many that still hold sway in parts of the Church and in other
movements, dealt with the issues of the Trinity. By denying that Christ was fully divine, it
failed to account for Jesus Christ being a part of the divine eternal
Trinity. By denying that Jesus was fully
human, it failed to account for the salvation of creation wrought by the divine
Trinity. It is important that as a
church we confess our belief in the Triune God.
As I mentioned on Pentecost Sunday, when the liturgy invites us to
explore topics of theology not often discussed in sermons, such as the Holy Spirit
or the Trinity, we shouldn’t let those teaching moments pass.
I want to move on to our readings this
week. I loved Psalm 29; the voice of the
Lord is the primary and active agent speaking to creation. In other parts of the Old Testament, God uses
angels, prophets, or pillars of fire, yet here God’s actual voice speaks to
creation.
Isaiah ch. 6 is the calling and commissioning
of Isaiah. These verses proclaim the
Lord as King. In the year that King
Uzziah, the king of Israel, died Isaiah sees the Lord on the throne. The Lord is king over Israel and all creation
even though it might seem like Uzziah was king.
The Lord is the one to be praised.
The New Testament readings focus on
the Spirit. John 3 records Nicodemus’
conversation with Jesus. Jesus tells him
that he must be born again--born of the Spirit--if he wishes to see the kingdom
of God. Paul continues this theme into
Romans. He exhorts us to live in the
Spirit in contrast to the flesh. We
Christians have the privilege and responsibility of having the Holy Spirit live
in us and with us. Paul even tells us
that the Spirit of God allows us to call God “Abba, Father!” which is so
radical and amazing. We are able to
approach the God of the Universe, the Awesome Creator and call him Father! But this is only possible as we approach in
the Spirit.
It is at that this point that we can
return to the idea of the Trinity. All
of the Trinity is involved in creation and Redemption. This is our confession. Many have pointed out at the even in the
Genesis 1 there is mention of God, the Spirit, and the Word. In the New Testament we have the Father, the
Son, and the Spirit. Each person of the
Trinity is eternal and uncreated. I
think it is best to quote the Athanasian Creed and leave it at that. The Trinity is our confession, yet I think it
always remains a logical mystery. We
confess even if we don’t fully understand.
We worship one God
in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;
Neither confounding
the Persons; nor dividing the Essence.
For there is one Person
of the Father;
another of the Son;
and another of the
Holy Ghost.
But the Godhead of
the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy
Ghost,
is all one;
the Glory equal,
the Majesty
coeternal.
Such as the Father
is;
such is the Son;
and such is the
Holy Ghost.
This week may we reflect on the God
who saved us through his Son and sent the Holy Spirit to live in and with us. Let’s
be mindful of our words and thoughts when it comes to God. Are we only thinking of God as the Father, or
maybe just the Son? Do we practice
Binitarianism? (two persons, leaving the Spirit out) Or maybe we actually have
a polytheistic belief that holds the Father, Son and Spirit apart and separate. I hope we can all think about that in the
coming weeks and maybe evaluate the language used in our church services.
Just a little homework. Grace and Peace.
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