[Jesus] said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’
Matthew 28:18-20
When my children were quite young (and that’s a very long time ago), I would sit and just look at them during their sleep in wonder and amazement about the bounty in our lives, and what miracles these gifts were to us. They were and are unique.
When Moses first encountered Yahweh, he knew little about this God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Indeed, Moses insisted on ‘knowing’ who this God was. ‘I am who I am,” answered God. Moses was in awe. From this time to the Maccabees, this God continued to reveal himself, evolving over time (from our human perspective) into a God of mercy, compassion, rich in kindness and faithfulness. This God was also called Spirit (Ruah), for he breathed life into his creation and the wind itself brought good fortune and good news.
For we Christians, a deeper revelation becomes evident in Jesus’ relationship to his God whom he calls Abba, Father. The early apostles, certainly the writers of Matthew’s Gospel and Paul, were using a liturgical Trinitarian formula (most specifically Matthew’s injunction that the disciples must baptise ‘in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’). The doctrine was then defined by early general councils of the Christian church.
The Council of Nicaea in 325 and the Council of Constantinople in 381 declared that the Son is of the same essence as the Father, and that the three Persons are one God. Differences still remain in the eastern and western churches. In the west, theologians such as Anselm and Thomas Aquinas continued to refine this teaching. Since this medieval work there have been few further developments, though today’s thinkers are attempting to link this teaching with the daily lives of the faithful.
For many, the Trinity is a most difficult idea to grasp, and it is often dismissed as a mystery to which only the likes of theologians can access. Perhaps we need a new set of paradigms, or new metaphors to help us digest and understand. Can I suggest, however, that a ‘Moses’ experience, meeting God face to face – in relationship, will always be at the core of this understanding? When we meet God in our prayer, in our liturgy, and through our community and communion, we place ourselves before him saying, ‘Lord, here I am, I come to do your will.’ His response is, ‘I am your God, I am who I am (Yahweh), come to me.’
We are his children and his creatures, it is his life that is breathed into us, and I have no doubt that he looks at us in the same way I looked at my young children, with wonder and amazement. We too are mysteries – unique and miraculous.
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday.
Confirmation of candidates completing the RCIA Program
RCIA – or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a program during which participants are invited, initiated into and incorporated into the life of the Church. On Pentecost Sunday, Abbey was baptised, and then along with Fern, Leona and Liam; staff members Caroline Brett, Luke Wescombe and Renee Hayes; and Amanda Sharman – wife of our Principal, Gregg, were brought into full communion with the Church.
A full assembly gathered at St Mary’s, Star of the Sea Church, Burnie, to witness and participate in this joyful occasion.
Mr Peter Douglas
Director of Faith and Mission
