Trinity Sunday

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

Yet, observing Trinity Sunday on the Sunday after Pentecost is certainly appropriate because the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples in power is a completion of the Trinitarian revelation. Talking about the Trinity is more than theology about the nature of God; it is a teaching that summarizes the whole Biblical message. This doctrine is a high mystery that transcends the limits of the natural human intellect. At the same time, the doctrine of the Trinity has practical applications to the life of every Christian.

There are several New Testament texts (such as Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19, John 3: 5-16, Ephesians 2:18, 2 Corinthians 13: 14, 1 Peter 1:2) which express a Trinitarian understanding of God's revelation to humanity. However, the doctrine of the Trinity is subtle and nuanced, and some implications of this belief took time to develop among Christians. Notably, belief in the Holy Trinity was expressed in the ancient baptismal questions about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These questions and answers became the basis for creeds such as the Apostles' Creed.  Later,  baptismal creeds also became the basis for doctrinal summaries of the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed (Quicunque vult). 

Affirming the importance of the doctrine of the Trinity does not make believers philosophical theologians. Rather, Christians affirm or confess this basic doctrine for reasons of faith. The doctrine of the Trinity is a biblical Christian belief that is deeply rooted in the experience of redemption and in Christian worship and prayer. Besides summarizing basic beliefs about God's work to save human beings, the doctrine of the Trinity is also present whenever Christians pray. Regardless of which divine person we invoke in a particular prayer, 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....