I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
John 14:25-26
The Trinity is for Us
I’ll bet you haven’t given much thought to the Trinity. We may pray to Jesus for help, thank the Creator for the beautiful world we live in, and we may even call on the Holy Spirit to find strength for the day. Yet the Trinity seems like more of a doctrine than a present reality. Today, I’d like to use these verses from Sunday’s Gospel to call you to rely upon the Triune God.
Jesus is our friend, our teacher, and our savior. Every day, I try to listen for his word, learn from his instruction, and express gratitude for all he has done for us. Jesus is “God with Skin” and in Easter we celebrate that through his Resurrection, every person on earth can encounter Jesus daily.
Jesus called the Creator who sent him “Abba”, “Father”. Of course, God isn’t simple mom or dad; but Jesus saw him as a loving parent whom he could call by a familial name. God, who is the source of everything, is not just a regulator or a judge. God is Love. Just as God sent Jesus for us; Jesus tells us that God will send the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ ministry begins with the Holy Spirit descending on Mary at the Annunciation and on Jesus at his Baptism. Wind, dove, fire, there are many images for the ineffable presence of the Spirit. In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us, a pretty big assignment for the generations. Jesus calls the Spirit, “the Advocate”, reminding us that God is on our side.
Friend, Source, Advocate … This is the Holy Trinity. Each expression of God brings the other parts along. We cannot possibly grasp all that God is, or then God wouldn’t be God. I find it helpful to remember the presence of the Trinity in the messes and the joys of my life. In the end, reminded and aided and taught, we will rest with every part of creation in the presence of God who is love.
Peace,
Mark +
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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