Trinity Sunday Part 2

Trinity Sunday Part 2

Read. I Corinthians  13:11-13. The final verse in this short passage recalls the familiar words of the benediction often used to close Christian gatherings. This is the verse that reminds us of the tripartite action of God, namely, the love of the father, the grace of the Son and the sharing in or communion with the Holy Spirit. Paul used this blessing to end a description of the church’s life.  It comes at the end of a rather diverse letter to the church at Corinth. In the letter he has both encouraged and sternly warned them about their collective life together. Here in this closing statement he is reminding them of the need to respond to their faith in a most tangible way. Some define ‘faith’ as taking a step into the dark as you do not know exactly what is entailed in faith. A different definition of faith is “acting on the facts”. If faith is acting on the facts then we need to know just what the facts are. As Paul draws his final statement to a close we can understand where his emphasis lies. As he says farewell he is also saying rejoice, rejoice because of the love Christ has for you. Continue to grow into maturity, be perfectly strengthened, for you know that Jesus is always with you: Be encouraged and comforted knowing that Jesus is faithful and will never abandon you. Be gentle in thought about one another as you live together; in fact live together in peace. Be together in this way because you know that the God of love and the peace God brings is always with you. Faith when lived out brings a harmony both in each believer and also between believers. When believers come together they can greet each other without pretence, knowing that they are all united through the love and grace of God. What was true for Paul’s flock in Corinth is still true for every Christian Congregation today.  The challenge therefore is for every Christian to live out their faith by acting on the facts!

Prayer. Lord at the end of another busy week, when we have time to put aside the routines and think more of you we pray for your blessing as we lift our hands in prayer to you once more. We pray for those who find no rest or peace because of their life’s situation. We think of those who are unable to participate in the normal activities of life: Those who can no longer venture out or mingle with their friends. We think of those who cannot gather to worship and Lord we pray for them, asking that your blessing and peace will surround them. May we be so empowered through our praise and worship even while in isolation, that we will be a true Christian blessing to those whom we speak to or meet. Gracious Lord, refresh and renew us so that we are ready to meet the week ahead full of praise and joy because we have been with Jesus. Amen 

Read. Matthew 28:16-20. The disciples meet the risen Jesus in Galilee a meeting also referred to in Marks gospel. Given the circumstances it is not surprising to read that some of the disciples had doubts. We have heard so often the stories of Jesus’ resurrection and appearances that they seem to describe an almost normal situation, however we need to remember that the disciples had not anticipated Jesus would immediately return from the dead.  Therefore this would have been an emotionally charged meeting and would have given added emphasis to the words that Jesus spoke to them. So much of what was occurring would have been hard to fully comprehend for here was someone who had died now physically present to them, directing them to receive the authority to take out to the whole world the teachings that Jesus had disclosed in his earthly ministry. Jesus is passing on to them what we now refer to as “The great commission”. A few decades ago in the Church Growth Movement, this passage was used as a spur to remind the church of the need to teach the message of Jesus to all who would listen. The disciples would have needed no spur to encourage them to relate this now amazing good news, and indeed this is what they did. In the writings of the early church this “commission” is not given any special emphasis. Perhaps because the New Testament is full of stories concerning the dynamic ministry of the risen Jesus proclaimed by the disciples. This was no easy task as Paul relates, “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NRSV).

Despite the hardships the disciples went out under the authority of Jesus and proclaimed Good News to all who would listen. N T Wright tells the story of a bishop lamenting”When Paul preached riot occurred, when I preach, they serve cups of tea!” There is probably much more to that story but it is a sad reflection of life in today’s church. Not that the church should be instigating riots yet somehow the cutting edge of the gospel has been blunted. No longer is the message of Jesus seen as essential for true life and living, it is more something to pay attention to from time to time. Maybe as these readings are heard we will all be inspired to grasp again the amazing truth, that Jesus lives and because of him, life can never be the same again.

Prayer. Gracious God, we thank you for the message of good news that comes through the life and ministry of Jesus: May the living word that flows from him be fully active in our world today.  Lord it is a word bringing change day by day; you are always a God with a future. Today we thank you for giving us a future through Jesus and we pray for those whose life experience suggests name. To him be glory and honour for ever more. Amen

Collect for Trinity. (Methodist Worship Book)  Almighty and ever lasting God, you have given us your servants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity: keep us steadfast in this faith, that we may evermore be defended from all adversities, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.