You are at a reunion of
friends; in the course of reminiscing, one of them says, "Describe your parents
for me." How would you answer? Would you report their physical appearances?
Would you offer a detailed biography? Would your language be complex? Or, would
you try to convey some of their outstanding qualities more poetically than
technically?
You are at home; a child asks,
"What is God like?" How would you answer? Today we celebrate a way in which the
Christian Church talks about God, and how the child's question may be answered.
"Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" - the Trinity -does not describe the Creator's
ingredients or appearance. Instead, poetic language helps us to understand the
historic biblical communities' experiences of God.
To be sure, classical,
medieval theologies befuddle the modern mind. While some scholars understand
their intricacies, so-called orthodox expressions of the Trinity, such as
implied in the Nicene Creed, make little sense today. Those ancient minds were
very different from Jesus and from you and me. Nonetheless, the question
remains; "What is God like?"
Some people believe that God
created the universe, set the laws of nature in place, and then went away;
there is no point to prayer, because God isn't around to listen; moreover, the
Bible is totally a human invention, because the Creator never revealed anything
to anyone. The most one can say about God is to liken the Creator to a
disinterested architect.
Still others believe that God
is spiritual inwardness - silent, unknowable, beyond being "Someone" - like a
sacred mist dwelling within each of us.
Science fiction sometimes
depicts the Creator as pure energy. Characters in the film "Star Wars"
frequently offered a prayer of sorts, "May the Force be with you!"
For many individuals, past and
present, God is the Grand Puppeteer pulling the strings of all women, men, and
children. This god directly controls all events in the universe, including all
human behavior.
Many other responsible persons
propose that God, all gods, are fanciful human inventions; God is like a
child's imaginary friend.
Quite differently, the Jewish,
Christian, and Muslim experiences of God share the experience and conviction
that in some profound, mysterious, and holy way; the Creator of the universe
and giver of life is Someone like a wonderful, caring parent. In ancient times
the word "Father" - used poetically - was valuable; this image remains
cherished by Christians all over our planet; however, today the word "Mother"
might convey God's parenting likeness, too. Either "Father" or "Mother" can
point with reverence to an aspect of our experience of the Divine Majesty.
A few years ago in Kansas City
a dog wandered onto a baseball field; he loped around and eventually sat on
third base. The fans began to yell a variety of commands at him, but the dog
didn't move; finally he had to be carried away. Later a sportswriter commented
that the dog was confused by the many overwhelming voices, none dominant enough
for him to hear and obey.
There are many voices shouting
at you and me to accept them as our own lord and master. The New Testament
proclaims that God, awesomely active in Jesus the Christ, is THE Voice to
respond to. Christ is the very Word of God made mortal flesh in Jesus, a Voice
understandable by all humanity, the only perfect Image of the Father, the One
who shows us that God loves personally and dynamically, the co-eternal Son.
More ambiguous metaphor, to be sure, yet words of power and meaning!
A nephew bathed and soothed
the deteriorating body of his sick uncle, all but abandoned by other family
members. "I wouldn't do that for a million dollars," remarked a relative.
"Neither would I," the nephew replied. Many of us have experienced occasions
when, if we had known ahead what we would be called upon to do, we would have
run in the opposite direction, certain that we were not capable of helping.
Yet, if we are at all willing and open, we discover a quiet, new strength to
serve. That refreshing power is God's Holy Spirit energizing us individually
and as the church to minister, even in situations from which, left to
ourselves, we would shy away.
In our liturgy of healing
today, we are assured of God's Holy Spirit, enabling us to cope with our
emotional, spiritual, and physical struggles and infirmities; through our
heartfelt, prayerful affirmation of who we are - beloved children of God - the
Giver of life continually restores us to inner wholeness.
When I was ordained a deacon
(nearly 30 years ago) the processional hymn was the one we sang this morning.
"I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity ...." Although the
music as we have it is about a hundred years old, the words are attributed to
the 4th and 5th century Saint Patrick of Ireland, one of the holiest and most
significant saints (I say, without bias). Legend has it that the hymn
was designed to protect St: Patrick and his monks from their enemies, both
human and demonic. Although it is long and not simply sung, its verses profess
the majesty and glory of God's self-disclosure, especially in Christ. For any
occasion of Christian worship - baptism, confirmation, ordination, Trinity or
any other Sunday, indeed, in every moment of our daily lives, what could be
more appropriately proclaimed by each of us?
Likewise, our other hymns and
prayers, the readings from Scripture, our entire Liturgy is in praise of and
thanksgiving to God as Holy Trinity - not limited to the Nicene or any other
Creeds' phrasings, or to my understanding or yours. You and I do not worship
today or any other day a particular doctrine, an absent Creator, spiritual
inwardness, forces, a puppeteer, or an imaginary friend! Instead, "with Angels
and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices
with all creation as we sing: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might
...."
If I were to describe my
parents or any other person I love, I would not use precise, quantitative
language. I would choose terms of endearment to point to my experience of their
love in my life. The expression "Trinity" points to God's graceful love in our
lives as Creator, Word, and Spirit - an imprecise term of profound, cosmic
endearment; yet more than a term - the confession of our experience of and true
faith in the "Father, who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen."