Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday is unique on the Church calendar in several ways. Historically, its origins are late. It seems to have been observed first in the early 900s in what later became Belgium and to have spread rapidly in northwestern Europe, including England. The observance was not added to the Roman calendar until the 1300s. Another distinction of Trinity Sunday is that, unlike other major holy days, it focuses on a doctrine rather than an event. 

Decades ago, I came to realize two central points about the doctrine of the Trinity. First, it is definitely rooted in Scripture. While the word "Trinity" and an explicit definition are not found in a single key passage, the Trinity permeates the whole Biblical canon. A person cannot reject this doctrine without discarding many Scripture passages, especially in the New Testament. 

Secondly, the doctrine of the Trinity is an essential part of a Christian perspective. It provides the structure of the ancient Creeds and hymns which summarize God's work to save us from our sins. The doctrine of the Trinity is also present whenever Christians pray. Regardless of which divine person we invoke at a particular moment, Christians are always calling upon the Triune God. We look to God as our heavenly Father through the mediation of His Son Jesus Christ prompted by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost...

Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday- John 14: 15-31

Pentecost is one of the great feasts of the Church based on Scriptural accounts of the descent of the Holy Spirit. The name comes from the Greek word "fifty." This title was applied to the Jewish "Feast of Weeks" which is the fiftieth day after Passover. Later, the Church assigned the commemoration to the fiftieth day after Easter. (The other English name for this day means "White Sunday," and it comes from the northern European custom of administering Baptism to white-robed candidates on this feast.) 

The Gospel for Pentecost (St. John 14: 15-31) continues the series of selections from Christ's Farewell Discourses. A key verse in the selection is John 14:26:"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsover I have said unto you.". In view of  the diverse opinions that some Christians have about the Spirit over the centuries, this verse provides important guidance. 

This guidance can be summarized in three points. 1) The Holy Ghost comes from the Father in Christ's name: The work of the Spirit is inseparable from the saving work of the Father and the Son. Although distinct, the persons of the Holy Trinity must not be separated.

2) While the work of the Holy Spirit often touches human emotions, it is not primarily emotional. Our verse indicates that the work of the Spirit is primarily instructional; that is, the Spirit mainly comes to teach Christ's disciples. The true teaching of the Holy Spirit is a continuation of the teaching of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word.

3) As the Holy Spirit teaches, it does not bring a separate new revelation. Instead, the Spirit brings to remembrance what has already been revealed in the words of Jesus. Thus, if Christians "feel" that the Holy Spirit is telling them something, they need to examine their feelings in light of the truth of the whole Biblical revelation, especially in light of Christ's words in the Gospels. In other words, anything that is truly spiritual must be consistent with what Scripture teaches us about Jesus Christ.

Ascension Day- Acts 1; Luke 24: 49-53

This Thursday is the fortieth day after Easter which has been the observance of Christ's Ascension (Acts 1; St. Luke 24:49-53) since at least the fourth century. By the fifth century, St. Augustine of Hippo was speaking of it as a universal custom. According to an old English tradition, it was known as "Holy Thursday" (an appropriate title but nowadays one sometimes associated with Maundy Thursday). The Ascension is a major feast commemorating a Scriptural reference to our Lord's earthly life and a doctrine taught in all three of the ancient Creeds of the Church. 

Unfortunately, the schedules of contemporary life make it hard for many people to observe this day at a church. Nevertheless, let us keep the day in our devotions and meditate on its meaning. Christ, the eternal Word, God the Son, has returned to His heavenly home at the right hand of the Father. This is for the good of Christ's followers in two important ways. 1) Our Lord is in the place of greatest honor and power interceding for us. 2) His return to heaven points us to Pentecost and the sending of the Holy Spirit to work among His people in new and powerful ways. Alleluia. Christ the Lord ascendeth into heaven; * O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.