A Jewish father was concerned about his son.
He had not truly raised him to be grounded in the faith of Judaism…and he felt bad.
So, hoping to remedy this he sent his son to Israel for an entire year so the boy could experience his heritage.
A year later the young man returned home. Like the return of the prodigal son, his father went out to meet and greet him. Arms flung wide open and running to greet him…
The young man said, “Father, thank you for sending me to the land of our Fathers. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience for which I will be forever grateful.
However, I must confess to you, that while I was away in Israel I converted to Christianity.”
“Oh the father groaned what have I done?” Like many a father before and after, he found himself ringing his hands…and questioning himself.
So in the tradition of the patriarchs he went to his “best friend” and sought him out for…advice, solace and counsel.
“It is amazing that you should come to me,” stated his friend, “I too, sent my son to Israel and he also returned a Christian.” Perhaps I should have shared this with you sooner. I am so sorry, he said. I am all verschimmelt.

So in the traditions of the Patriarchs the two of them, decided to go to their local Rabbi, seeking out his wisdom and certain advice.
“It is amazing that you should come to me,” stated the elderly and scholarly Rabbi, “I too sent my son to Israel and he also returned a Christian. What is happening to our sons? What is happening to our people?
“Brothers, we must take this to the Lord,” said the Rabbi. They fell to their knees and began to wail and pray and pour out their hearts …to the Almighty God.
As they prayed, the clouds above them opened up and a mighty voice stated, “Amazing that you should come to me. I, too, sent my Son to Israel…” The Spirit moves, when and where it wills…
(Pause to let it sink in!)
Tonight, we gather together to celebrate the Holy Trinity, the day the Christian Church historically has celebrated one of its “central beliefs”…that of the triune God. For your information this is the only day in the entire church year – that a doctrine is being lifted up and actually observed.
You have to love Father Augustine of old, one of our early church fathers and a theologian who reportedly said, “Anyone who denies the Trinity is in danger of losing their salvation…and anyone “who tries to understand it”…is in danger… of losing their mind.”
Right on, Augustine! No wonder Luther liked him!
So now, we get a celebration of “church doctrine” which usually causes the music to fade, the yawn from the pre-adolescent and the disinterested look of almost everyone present!
“What” is there to be said, that hasn’t been said before? What is there to be said, that “hasn’t been heard-before?”
“Church doctrine Sunday”…Saturday or Wednesday – lucky us…and most people know that if there is no baptism waiting in the wings or scheduled…this means the Athanasian Creed, to boot!
Ah, tis’ good to be here! And to anticipate “the creed” that is sure to come!
You know that it was written in the beginning: “Let us make humankind in our own image-it doesn’t say there… let us make humankind in my image according to my likeness.” This is not a “me” God, but a “we” God…right from the beginning. Even 7th grade confirmands pick up on that one…
God from the beginning is a God as “community”…a God “of” community.
The “triune nature” of God assures us that God is in fellowship with God’s self.
In the beginning is Creator, the Word and the Spirit all co-mingling to bring forth creation. Here God creates communally. Yet you cannot say, “they create,” but rather – God creates…
In the Trinitarian nature of God, individuality and communality are related in a beautiful “life giving dance” of creation. Whatever names we choose to use Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Holy Parent, Holy Child and Holy Spirit, Creator, Redeemer and Advocate, or Comforter, the three aspects remain distinct – while the identity remains one through “mutual relatedness of giving and receiving.”
Back and forth together throughout time the dance continues on…
In this dance, no one leads and no one follows…they just dance. And as they dance, no one looks, no one laughs…and no one thinks it’s weird, because that is the way it has always been. And the dance continues on…
Amen.