There have always been competing gods. We read about the Mesopotamian Baal and other local household fertility tokens. From Aphrodite (and her see-through nighty) to Zoroaster, from Appollo to Zeus, monotheistic People of God have had ranks of false deities to absorb their attentions. These haven’t died, but they’ve modernized their names: there’s a blank screen in my living room that brings me images of something new to worship every day! Trinity Sunday MAY help sort out our pantheons of diversions; there’s always an evil voice whispering in my ear, “Will wanting this REALLY dilute your dependence on and partnering with God?” I’m afraid I’m addicted to luxury…
We begin at The Beginning, a very good place to start. These few verses from Genesis (1:1-4) speak of a holy wind/breath that drew form from chaos, and announced that God is actively involved in Creation and all that it yields. Eons before any Trinitarian formula was conceived, the immensity of the cosmos is apprehended as inclusive of all that would become “nations”.
We’re supposed to pay particular attention to Paul’s benediction added to the Second Letter to the Corinthians, 13:13. Often used as a greeting, it’s a familiar formula: “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” The bulk of the letter deals with the brokenness of the Church in Corinth, struggling with its obvious diversity and competing gods. The conclusion isn’t a mere “Don’ worry, be happy”, but a vital reminder that the wholeness of God in all phases is what creates and sustains community.
Matthew concludes his Gospel narration with what has come to be known as the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” This terminology seems a bit strained to be in Matthew’s tradition, and would fit more into the spirituality of JOHN’s Gospel. Be as it may, this emphasizes the wholeness/completeness of Godhead, and causes further generations to appreciate the several facets of particular care for them as “all nations”. “The very fact that the task is utterly impossible throws the disciples completely onto the mercy and strength of God….’all authority’ does not belong to the Church or its resources, but comes from God’s wild investment…in Jesus the Son and the willingness of the Son to be present always to the Church in the Spirit.” (Thomas G. Long, FEASTING on the WORD, A 3:49)
Celeste Kennel-Shank says it well: “Jesus sends the Spirit to stay with us in the struggle against the dominant view of the earth as ripe for colonization and subjugation. Instead, we can embrace our place interwoven in all of creation.” (SOJOURNERS, June 2020, p.49)
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
My meeting with scripture lessons assigned to the upcoming weekend can be enjoined every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
My Blog 
Leave a comment