by Rev. Herbert Nichols

For centuries, saints and scholars alike have sought to explain the mystery of the Trinity - three distinct persons, yet one God. St. Patrick gave us the leaves of the shamrock. Baby boomers will surely remember the three concentric circles commonly associated with Ballentine beer. Today we have received from the Orthodox the icon of the three angelic looking characters. But do any of these caricatures offer deeper understanding of what the Trinity signifies?

We might even be tempted to say or think: Who cares? That amorphous reality called mystery can be a put off unless we see ourselves involved. And since we are not isolated individuals we are immersed in the mystery of relationship.

We were not created to be loners. In fact God, Himself said it: It is not good to be alone. We were made to be relational beings and to live lives of relationship involving unity, love, and trust. Because we are by nature, driven toward relationships, we are also driven to be liked and accepted. Unfortunately we are often all too willing to pay a high price for popularity; but without honesty and integrity, the relationship unravels into estrangement and division. Factions begin labeling one another. There is no recognition of being children of God. There is no common identity and no recognition of dignity.

We know very well psychologically, that isolation and abandonment leave devastating character flaws that can elicit many forms of bizarre compulsive behavior many years in the future. God in his infinite Wisdom knew this before the beginning and chose not to abandon Adam and Eve and the human race. Because we are His children whom He loves so much that He gave His only Son so that whomever believes in Him, might have eternal life.

In the gospel this morning Jesus commissions not only the eleven; but all of us, each of us, to be an indispensable part of God's unfolding plan. (Yesterday he referred to us as His personal ambassadors.) You are probably tempted right now to think, what am I supposed to do? How do I fit into this so called plan?

Very simply, you were baptized and confirmed in the life of the Trinity. You have been adopted into their family and are just as real in membership in that family as in your earthly family. And unless you live in a totally dysfunctional family tightly wrapped in toxic shame; doesn't it feel natural to talk and share about your family.

We can tell others of the Father's desire to have a loving relationship with us. If Jesus were to write a letter on the editorial page for today's Father's Day it might start like this:

"My brothers and sisters, I came to earth to open wide heaven's doors for you and to pour out upon you the love I share with my Father.

From all eternity it has been my delight to honor Him through my obedience and respect (as I hope you honor your fathers today). I also rejoice in sharing with you the Father's love for you. You are the crown of our creation. I could never abandon you and let you be brutalized by evil. If only you knew how much love we have for you. I esteem you and your salvation more than my rightful place in heaven."

Perhaps you might ask: Which was more difficult? To surrender my place in heaven out of loving obedience to my Father, or to place myself in the hands of those who reject and hate me. Would you not find it easier to submit to someone who loves you rather than someone who hates you?

Now I want to ask you a question? Will you open wide the door of your heart for me? I want to be part of your life. In answer to my prayer and yours the Father has sent you the Holy Spirit to empower you over temptations, in trials and moments of difficult decisions, empowering you to forgive and to love even those with whom you have become deeply alienated.

You deserve to know, to experience this healing in your life? Do not all your brothers and sisters deserve to know the power and presence of the Spirit as fully as possible? Do not all deserve to experience the life-changing revelation that only the Spirit can give?

Now is the time for you to open your hearts to me and to one another. This is the great challenge of your diocesan Jubilee, to be renewed in grace. As this Jubilee continues to unfold may the light of the gospel shine within you and may your experience of God within you compel you to share it with others.