and you’ll lose your mind;
try to deny it and you’ll lose your soul!
Well, for sure, I don’t want you losing your mind or your soul this morning.
But that quote does capture two truths: on the one hand, the Trinity is a mystery. We can never explain it fully. On the other hand, the Trinity is essential to our faith. Without it, we can’t call ourselves Christians. So, what do we do? Stay calm and carry on!
Let me say a word here about inclusive language. We’re all aware that God is neither male nor female. God is beyond gender. But I use the traditional formula of Father, Son and Holy Spirit today. Because for me, the easiest way to approach the Trinity is starting with Scripture. Believe me, I had several false starts writing this sermon, to the point I was panicking as the clock was ticking away to the deadline. As we were taught in seminary, there are no sermons preached on Monday.
Finally, I got the message from above: stick to lectionary and preach on the assigned texts. So that’s what I’m going to do and I ask you to bear with me and the traditional language. God is not finished with me yet, and I hope you aren’t either. After all, there’s always Trinity Sunday next year!
So, that said, let me stay calm and carry on. The two Bible readings you heard today are among the traditional Scriptures for Trinity Sunday. It’s easy to see why. These are the two most prominent places in the Bible that have the three names of God together – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. First in what’s known as the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 and then in the threefold blessing of 2 Corinthians 13:11-13.
But, you know, I wondered what else could we learn from these two passages besides using them as trinitarian prooftexts. Something besides using them as proof that the Trinity is in the Bible? Is there something more that could help us appreciate the Trinity, and more importantly, to apply it to our lives as Christians? Let’s take a closer look to find out.
It’s worth noting that both these passages are the last words in their respective books of the Bible. In the Great Commission, Jesus gives his final instructions to his disciples before his ascension. In his 2nd letter to the congregation, Paul gives a final blessing to the brothers and sisters in the church at Corinth.
Now some scholars have questioned whether the reference to the Trinity was in the original version. Or was it added later to these two Scriptures? To me, it doesn’t matter. What matters is what difference it makes that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are specifically invoked from baptism to benediction. Because, you know, Jesus could have just said: go and make disciples and baptize them. Paul could have just ended his farewell with v 11: be restored, live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you. But that’s not what’s there so let’s see what difference the Trinity makes.
Let’s start with baptism. When we are born, we are brought into the inner life of our new family. Likewise, in baptism, we are brought into the inner life of the family of God the Trinity. So, from the very beginning of our Christian life, we enter into a relationship with the Triune God. In baptism, we are claimed by God in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. In baptism, we are declared a child of God, redeemed by the Son and sanctified by the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity changes everything, whether we know it or not. Let me illustrate.
In his own farewell letter after almost 50 years of ministry, the Revd. John Buchanan told a story about baptizing a young child. After the child had been baptized with water, Buchanan followed the directions of the Presbyterian worship book. He put his hand on the little boy's head and addressed him in Trinitarian language. He said, "You are a child of God, sealed by the Spirit in your baptism, and you belong to Jesus Christ forever." Unexpectedly, the little boy looked up and responded, "Uh-oh."
Well, it was a funny moment, and people in the congregation laughed. But Buchanan said "it was [also] an appropriate response [and] a stunning theological affirmation". 1From the mouth of a child no less.
As fellow Presbyterian Thomas Long comments: “That ‘uh-oh’ was a recognition that everything had changed, that this boy would never be the same. He didn’t belong any more just to his biological family; he had now been born all over again, this time into God's Trinitarian family. Now he would be called to live out in the world the kind of love and self-giving that goes on among Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He was being called in his baptism to live a different way in the world, God's way, a way that is sometimes met with rejection and scorn. No wonder he said, ‘Uh oh’. [His life and our] life will never be the same.”2
So that’s one way to understand our spiritual direction under the Trinity. Is there another response we might have besides “uh oh”? Well, yes, and we find it in Paul’s final words in his epistle. In 2 Corinthians 13:13, he not only desires grace, love, and communion for this troubled church. He prays for them to receive the blessings that are uniquely given through the Trinity – namely, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because we need the promise of all three to live the Christian life to the full. Because we need the presence of all three to face our problems and joys with courage and gratitude. Because we need the power of all three not only to be blessed but to be a blessing. That’s right. God doesn’t want you to just count your own blessings. That’s the starting point of course. But even more God wants you to become the blessing other people can count on. That’s the finish line, and we cross it together through the promise, presence and power of the blessed Trinity.
Let me close with one more story from the mouth of babes: A mother notices her 5-year-old daughter furiously drawing on a piece of paper. When asked what she's sketching, the girl says, "I'm drawing a picture of God." The mom chuckles and says, "But dear, nobody knows what God looks like." Confidently, her daughter replies, "Well, they will when I get done.”
Isn’t that what being a Christian is all about? Drawing a picture of God through our very lives. Leading others to know Emmanuel, God with us, revealed in us. Making disciples of all nations, not in our name, but in the mighty name of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – our guarantee that God is with us always until the end of the age – always.
I close with a prayer by Tom Long: O God, we praise you; through your Word and Holy Spirit you created all things. You reveal your salvation in all the world by sending us Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Through your Holy Spirit you give us a share in your life and love. Draw us this day and every day into the fullness of your life and self-giving love. Fill us with the vision of your glory, that we may always serve and praise you, [holy, holy, holy], forever and ever. Amen
A Trinity blessing based on 2nd Corinthians 13:13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVFbPPpyN_I8
