Many names, one desire: A relationship with you!
TEXT: John 16:12-15. Read it here.
Holy Trinity Sunday reminds us that we use many names for God. Some in the Bible include Alpha and Omega, King of the Universe, the Rock of our Salvation and Lord of Wisdom. All describe some aspect of God, but each falls short of the whole.
We do not find Trinity presented as a concept in the Bible. That came later, as people of faith looked for a way to express the experience of the earliest followers of Jesus. The idea of Trinity helps us today express the ways we experience our faith, too.
No theology can fully explain or express God. Not even the Bible can contain or explain all of God. God goes beyond any human concept and beyond any human ability to understand. Our God is a God of mystery and infinity.
At root, the concept of Trinity helps us describe our experience of God as a dynamic relationship. God can break into and enter our lives in many ways. We know that God always surprises us!
But we humans want to limit God to what we can understand. We want God to meet us on our terms. We have a history of turning away. But God keeps after us. God wants a relationship with us! So, our first act of love for this persistent God can be to listen to God’s word for us.
Prayer for Holy Trinity Sunday
God of heaven and earth, before the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time you are the triune God: Author of creation, eternal Word of salvation, life-giving Spirit of wisdom. Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that we may proclaim all that Christ has revealed and rejoice in the glory he shares with us. Glory and praise to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
— ELCA Lectionary, Year B
Holy Trinity Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia! Holy, holy, holy is the | Lord of hosts;* God’s glory fills | the whole earth. Alleluia.
— ELCA Lectionary, Year B (Isa. 6:3)