Celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost in all the main traditions of the Christian Church
Two texts:
Matthew 28:18-20
“Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go 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 I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2 Corinthians 13:14
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Briefly stated: We believe in ONE God, who reveals Himself, fully and equally, in three PERSONS: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.
Personally I find this ‘diagram’ helpful:
That said, however, I do not regard Trinity as a matter for cold analysis, or idle speculation – Trinity defies explanation, is an unfathomable Mystery, and yet is an invitation into relationship. In this I find myself in agreement with Eugene Peterson as he writes: “Trinity insists that God is not an idea or a force or a private experience, but personal and known only in personal response and engagement” – (Christ Plays In Ten Thousand Places)
Both the liturgy and hymnology of the Church, as developed over the centuries, has provided a vast resource both for private & public devotion. Here’s one verse of a truly magnificent hymn which will be familiar to many:
Holy, holy, holy
Lord, God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons blessed Trinity
Not in the same league as the above hymn, here’s a ‘poem’ I wrote in honour of the Trinity:
Perfect Father
Love ineffable
Gracious giver
Genius God
~~~~
Son, beloved
Love’s expression
Broken body
Dying God
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Spirit, holy
Love’s proceeding
Gentle dove
Breathing God
~~~~
Three in One
Love enfolding
ALL who come.
Accepting God
When I published this on Ready Writer, I added: “Unashamedly Trinitarian, I am deeply grateful for the remarkable insights contained in William P. Young’s allegorical work: “The Shack” – which is available in both book or DVD format, and which I’m happy to recommend.
A few years ago I also wrote a ditty (song) which again reflects on my very limited understanding of Trinity:
You are my Source
You are my Centre
You are my Home
Where I belong
So, may I know You
And may I grow like You
Lord may I make You known
Wherever I go
The Father is Source, the Son is Centre, the Spirit is Home — and to know Him, to grow like Him and to make him known is my life’s vision and purpose.
So, a concluding Prayer, from Universalis, directed to our God, Who is Three in One and One in Three
God of mercy,
you revealed the great mystery of your Godhead to men
when you sent into the world
the Word who is Truth
and the Spirit who makes us holy.
Help us to believe in you and worship you,
as the true faith teaches:
three Persons, eternal in glory,
one God, infinite in majesty.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
AMEN