A Trinity Message from our Pastor
Reverend Thomas G. Graham
Pentecost is celebrated as the "birthday of the church", when as scripture says, a mysterious, rushing wind filled the house in Jerusalem, where the disciples had gathered. Tongues of divine fire touched each one present. And, these disciples, who had been downcast and morose received the Holy Spirit. Filled with enthusiasm, these same disciples burst onto the streets of Jerusalem and began to proclaim the mighty deeds of God. People stopped to stare. Some derided the disciples saying, they were drunk. Peter denied that saying it was only 9 o’clock in the morning. (Pious Jews did not imbibe at that hour.)
Bystanders took the inspired preaching as a sign. And, as scripture says, three thousand received baptism that day. Thus, the church was born. It is interesting these events occurred on the Feast of Weeks, which fit into the Jewish liturgical calendar.
In our Christian calendar, Trinity Sunday follows Pentecost by a week. On that day the church celebrates the mystery of the Holy Trinity. There are vast mysteries in this universe. We human beings can only see through a glass darkly. The Godhead has existed forever and ever through countless ages. This God is the great I AM, who appeared to Moses in the form of a Burning Bush. But, he is not alone, for the sword which comes out of his mouth is his Word, "for the Word of God is a sharp two-edged sword." The seven stars in his hand are his sevenfold spirit. In God, the Word and Spirit are persons. The Ancient of Days is God the Father; the Word is God the Son; and the spirit is the Holy Spirit.
"God in three persons, blessed Trinity!" God in God’s Self is a community – not an isolated individual, alone in his splendour.
Our scripture deals with the practical. After the Ascension of Jesus the Christ, the disciples returned to Jerusalem. They were visited by the Advocate, or the Holy Spirit. They were charged with bringing the Good News to this world.
And, that is the charge of the Lord Jesus Christ to us his servants. The great commission is to go forth and to bring the message to the ends of the earth.
In the Northern Hemisphere at this season, the world opens up to light and life. The resurgence of life that we see after Easter is well under way. Birds have returned. The first flowers of spring have faded. The world puts on her summer dress. All the trees are now in leaf. The animal world is busy with the everyday tasks of life — of nesting, of rearing a brood. Mallards have mated and ducklings have hatched.
The Feast of St. John the Baptist occurs six months to the day from Christmas Eve. In some places, bonfires are lit — St. John's Fire. These two feasts occur close to the solstices. Christmas Eve falls just past Midwinter's Day and St. John's Day falls just past Midsummer's Day. There is a balance here.
"Summertime and the living is easy." Now is the time and opportunity for the church to do its work in this world, while the light still shines, before the coming of the dark.
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