Monday of the Festival of Trinity – Prayer for the Week
Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign one God, now and forever.
Were you ever one of those kids who eagerly tore open a Christmas or birthday gift only to discover something which disappointed you? Did some practically minded relative give you underwear or socks for Christmas? Did you utter a half-hearted “thanks” under the glowering expectation of your mother? Or was she the one who gave you the practical gift?
The prayer speaks of God giving us the gift to acknowledge the Trinity and worship the Unity. I think a lot of Christians might wonder about the value of that gift, especially if they attend one of those churches which use the Athanasian Creed on Trinity Sunday. But Christians should and do rejoice in the revelation of God to us that is Trinity. Yes, it is rather difficult to describe and impossible to understand; however, Trinity stands at the very heart of what we believe. The Trinity is nothing less than the Father sending the Son to die for our sins. The Son obeying the Father and redeeming the world. The Holy Spirit poured out upon us in baptism. Without Trinity we cannot really speak of those things which are the very acts of salvation.
I do not expect God to be easy to understand. In fact, I get rather suspicious of what I am saying when the answers to the God questions get simple and easy. That usually means I am off the mark. God has in Christ revealed something of the profound mystery which created this universe, including me. I thank God that I can see therein the love of God which gave his Son, the loving obedience of that Son, and the love which poured out that Spirit. It is very good to acknowledge the Trinity and worship the Unity. It allows me to reflect upon the mystery of the cross. Spend a few moments thinking about that. God the Son died there for you. God the Father raised him from the dead. God the Holy Spirit, poured out on Pentecost and in your baptism into this triune Name, calls you into faith. You can say all that because of Trinity.
Rev. Phillip Brandt, MDiv, PhD
Join us tomorrow for the study of Philippians on WebEx. Contact me if you need the link.
Blessed Trinity!
Pr Fred
