Trinity Sunday

First Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 1:1-2:4a • Psalm 8 2 • Corinthians 13:11-13 • Matthew 28:16-20

 Video of Sunday, June 7 Service

Video of sermon by Courtney Tan

I am the middle child in a family of three girls. Most of the time we played and worked well together, following the example of the many adults in our extended family. Sometimes my sisters and I, like all siblings, would disagree. Occasionally these disagreements would turn into acrimonious arguments, and feelings would be hurt on all sides.

I remember that when I was the one with an opinion or need that neither of my sisters felt was valid, I would be left on the sidelines, nurturing my feelings while they, obliviously went about their business together. By the time my mother, grandmother, or another adult noticed my disposition, these feelings had often simmered and brewed until something relatively minor was an insult or crisis of major proportions. The words would come spilling out with tears, hiccups, and tight, hurt body language, related in an injured or self-righteous tone, no longer a small incident but an epic tale! I would be questioned and counselled, sometimes I would be scolded for letting a silly little thing get so out of proportion. If the adult thought it appropriate, my sisters would be summoned and we would be encouraged, or commanded, to resolve the issue. What I remember most clearly is those occasions when I had sat with the issue, sometimes for days, adding on each perceived additional problem until I felt my world was falling apart, yet when questioned, my sisters were amazed, having long forgotten the incident, or remembering it as a small thing, of no account. The lesson I learned most clearly was that communicating, listening, hearing and being heard, are crucial if members of a family or society are to live in harmony.

Today is Trinity Sunday when we celebrate the Christine doctrine of the Trinity; "the one and equal glory" of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, "in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Being."[1] Hence, today’s reading from 2nd Corinthians and Matthew’s Gospel both contain this formula. Trinity Sunday celebrates unity, three persons indivisible, each manifest in different ways working for a common purpose.

This ethic is foundational to our lives as Christians; working together, acknowledging our commonalities while at the same time recognizing that we are each distinct members of humanity as we seek to follow in Jesus footsteps. Paul writing in his last letter to the Corinthians would seem to agree.

“Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Paul is speaking to the community at Corinth, trying to smooth things over and bring about a more harmonious relationship between him and this community. The last time he visited them he departed abruptly feeling mortified and rejected, feeling he was owned an apology. In reaction, he sent them a rather harsh letter and broke a promise to visit, letting his personal feelings and his sense of “being their father in the faith”[2] blind him to events and emotions within the community.

Paul’s words are simple, four uncomplicated statements, which join together to form a very powerful statement, completed with a message regarding God’s presence.

Each individual statement is one we hear throughout our lives in one form or another. We talk about putting things in order, whether we refer to our relationship with our siblings, or other people, ordering our possessions, or righting cultural and political injustices.

We listen to, or make, a variety of appeals; to parents, to common sense, to courts of law; we can ask earnestly for help or support, on grounds of reason, justice, or common humanity.[3]

Agreeing with one another can be difficult, especially in a society where we are often told to “think for yourself” but are also told, to obey certain rules or just accept information. We certainly don’t want our children thinking for themselves when we tell them not to run into traffic, or to follow a fire drill. Perhaps Paul means agree in a cooperative sense, similar to that which we hear from childhood, “please work together,” or “Can’t you just get along with each other!” When individuals and groups living in a society learn to effectively communicate about needs, fears, joys, and disappointments we grow stronger.

Living in peace seems to be one of the least attainable, yet most desirable, human endeavours. The world is rarely at peace, yet it is seldom as restless and angry as it has been in recent weeks, nationally or globally. It is easy to believe that the world will never come back together in a way which makes sense, to doubt that things will ever return to normal, whatever that looks like.

Doubt is something which humans are sometimes better at than faith. It is hard to be positive when our lives are in turmoil. Today’s passage in Matthew is the first scene in which the disciples have appeared since fleeing following Jesus’s arrest. Their faith has led them to follow Jesus’ instructions and gather at the appointed place, but they are understandably emotionally fragile. Matthew talks of doubt, of discipleship where faith is not cocky or arrogant but prone to questioning, bound up with worship, believing in something foundational to one’s life. “When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.” What does Matthew mean when he speaks of doubt?  The Matthean translation of the Greek word, διστάζω (dis-tad-zo) means to waver or doubt. Not in the theoretical sense of skepticism but in “the risky wavering of one who must decide when more than one possibility seems reasonable and right.” [4]

We too are at a crossroads when more than one possibility seems reasonable and right. We too are a worshipping and wavering community of disciples who seek to discern how to work to further God’s mission in this world in times of fear, uncertainty, and frustration. Like the disciples in Matthew we are called to step out into the world as it is, not as we would like it to be. We are called to listen, to hear, to connect, and to nurture the sort of communication which opens hearts and minds to the richness of a world where we celebrate the contributions each person can make to our common life. Our task is to heal, to spread the hope of the Gospel.

Words are easy, but where do we start with such a momentous task?

Well, we already have. We gather here this morning, to share in common worship, and prayer, to profess our faith in a Triune God. The Holy Innocents website details the many ways we are working together. Wednesday evenings conversations about our lives as Christians, post-service Coffee Hours, and Fridays fellowship, build bonds, which enable difficult and potentially contentious conversations to take place at other times with both sides being heard. The Community Resources Section has ideas to help ourselves and others in the community from donating essentials to contacting people who need a little extra emotional support, meals, or grocery shopping. As groups and individuals, we advocate for equal time, weight and validity to be given to each person, each need, each experience. We write to lawmakers, we talk with our neighbours; striving to listen, and respond without being defensive. Some take part in sit-ins, peaceful marches, or post to social media platforms, striving to engage others in God’s work of reconciliation; recognizing that though we each manifest differently, we all share a common humanity and are equal in God’s sight. Sometimes the only positive thing we can do is stay silent, and this too can be God’s work. Often, we are reminded of our childhood lessons, that that which seems trivial to us is deeply troubling to someone else, and vice versa.  Sometimes we do not do as well as we feel we ought, so we talk with members of our community about our struggles and, with their support, try again.

When all else is uncertain, we can prioritize practices of faith, as the disciples did, and let our understanding catch up later. Our understanding of the Holy Trinity is that it teaches us that none of what we want to do for others, for our nation, or the world, relies on us alone.  Though our words and actions may be imperfect or insufficient, the Holy Spirit will work through them to connect us to other people and more fully to our Triune God. The God of love and peace is with us. At this time, when everyone’s lives are in turmoil, this is something concrete we can hold on to.  

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[1] BCP 1979, 380.

[2] Keck, XI, 6.

[3] Dictionary.Com, Appeal, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/appeal

[4] Keck, VIII, 502.