04 June 2023 - Trinity Sunday, Year A

 

Theme

On Trinity Sunday, the prescribed scripture readings invite us to reflect on the three persons of the Trinity. In Genesis, the Creation story describes God’s creative, life-giving nature. In 2 Corinthians, Paul shares a vision of a church living effectively by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Matthew, Jesus connects himself with God’s authority and the presence of the Holy Spirit, giving us a vivid image of the Holy Trinity and the relationship within the Godhead.

Scripture Readings

  • Genesis 1:1-2:4a - The first Creation story found in Scripture. God creates the universe from nothing. On day 1, God creates light. On day 2, God separates the waters and the sky. On day 3, God separates the water from dry land and creates plants. On day 4, God creates lights in the sky. On day 5, God creates sea creatures and birds. On day 6, God created land animals and humankind in God’s own image. On day 7, God rested. After every day, God declared Creation as good and after day 6, God declared it was very good.
  • Psalm 8 - A Psalm of Praise, reflecting on God’s glory present in Creation and thanking God for making humans in God’s image and entrusting them to care for the Earth.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 - Paul’s final words to the church in Corinth, encouraging them to be joyful, grow to maturity, and to live in harmony and peace with one another. Then God would be with them.
  • Matthew 28:16-20 - The great commission. Jesus meets with the disciples on the mountain in Galilee. Some worshipped and some doubted. Jesus claims to have been given all authority on heaven and earth. He tells them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey Jesus’ instructions. Finally, Jesus tells them that he will be with them until the very end of the age.

Personal Application

Psalm 8 is a beautiful poem that recognizes God’s presence in all of Creation and God’s image within every person. This poem was written hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth and people understood the Holy Spirit as we do today. Yet, God’s people still had a real sense that God’s presence permeated every corner of God’s Creation.

If we truly believed that God was present in all things and all people, how differently would we interact with the world and each other? I believe that we would feel obliged to better care for the environment. We would work harder to preserve life on earth and speak out louder against those polluting the earth, the sea and the sky. We would condemn and work to prevent animal abuse. We would be kinder to each other and fight against the injustice and abuse that is dished out to so many vulnerable and oppressed people who have been created in the very image of God.

Do you believe that God is present in all of Creation? How can you live your life and interact with the world and other people in a way that honours this belief?

Communal Application

In Paul’s closing words to the Corinthian church, he offers a beautiful image of a church that is empowered by the Holy Spirit - a church that is joyful, growing towards maturity, and living in peace and harmony with one another. If we look around the world today, there are few churches that truly look like this. Many churches are in despair, acting childishly, clinging to archaic theology and viciously fighting with one another.

As we enter into this Season after Pentecost, let us consider what it would mean to journey closer towards this vision that Paul had for Christ’s church. Wouldn’t it be great to experience a church that is truly joyful, mature and at peace?

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