Everybody knows that “love” is well – complicated! Very complicated sometimes!
The scriptures – boldly declare that our God is a god of love, as a matter of fact, God is love!
Therefore, we should expect him to be no less complicated.
Today is the celebration of the “Holy Trinity.” I like it, but it’s complicated! It is difficult to talk about God…just as it is difficult – to sometimes explain love and loving.
We desire to know about God, because that is who we are. It is in our nature…to be inquisitive and to want to know more.
The “official” doctrine or dogma of the “Trinity” is best spelled out in the “Athanasian Creed.”
The “Trinity” or the “Triune God” for me – is all about love. I tend to dumb things down a bit for myself. I tend to simplify things. It works for me.
For the record the word “Trinity” is not to be found in the Holy Scriptures.
You know, God the Father is never “out there – somewhere,” nor is he hiding above the clouds. He is with me constantly and in my heart. He is “the creator God”…when it came time for creation to happen – my God put his two cents worth – into it.
He may be beyond my knowledge and my rational thinking and we may not have the language necessary to even talk about him. But I know this – I am awed by him and his power and his love for us…and the beauty of his creation.
He is the great Mysterium Tremendum…the tremendous mystery. I cannot comprehend everything that he is – just as I cannot comprehend everything that you are. I can only accept and know you as you are! You too, are complicated!
Theologians say, “He is all knowing, all seeing and all powerful.” I tend to take them at their words. God is everywhere!
Because, he is well – GOD! He is Holy. They say further that he is all loving, merciful and forgiving and that he is unconditional in his loving. God is a God of mercy. But chiefly he is a God of love.
The Scriptures say that he loves us so much that he sent his son – for us. Jesus became the face of the mystery that is God. God himself was revealed in a tiny, little helpless baby, who came to live among us…and to tell us that we are worth something. We really are!
Our lives have meaning…and purpose. We count for something in God’s eyes.
So, Jesus came teaching us the meaning of family and neighbor and he re-defined our daily needs. He came to call back all those who were lost, to bring dignity to the poor and downtrodden, to bring hope to the oppressed and healing and comfort to those who were sick. He said things like – those who are despised – they need to be accepted. And, don’t think too highly of yourself!
His message was one of love and hope and forgiveness. He came to calm our fears about sin, death and the evil one.
They said he was without sin and that he died a monstrous death for the likes of us. Again, that’s how much our God loves and cares for each of us. Now we should care for others in return!
But as I reflect on his life and three year ministry, he really did come to bring us hope. Hope beyond death, hope beyond the grave, hope beyond this life, hope for the life that is to come.
But he didn’t stop there…this great God of ours. Jesus ascended and went back to the Father. Jesus taught us about divine love. Jesus too, is love.
And just so we wouldn’t feel abandoned, alone and forsaken, he sent his spirit, to comfort and guide us and to make us one with all people.
Like Jesus, the spirit teaches too. School is not out for the summer… we still have stuff to learn. We can still grow in our lives of faith. We are not done, yet! That’s what the season of Pentecost is all about!
So, we have been sent the Spirit who empowers us, dwells with us and guides us. We say that the spirit is the Great Comforter. He stands along side of us.
The spirit leads us, calls us, reminds us, gathers us, motivates us, enlightens us and sanctifies us…
And, he probably does a lot more than that, as well. He too, is with us always.
So when I think of the greatness of the Triune God, I think of love. Love, love, love, that’s what he’s all about…
Father love. Love of the son. Spirit love.
My God is big on love and loving. It is what defines him…if – we can define him at all!
So, everyone take a deep breath and let’s see what the Athanasian Creed has to say about the Trinity: