The Trinity is not a concept to be explained intellectually: the
Holy Trinity is God to be worshipped. The worshipping approach to
Trinity Sunday yields something far richer and more wonderful than
attempts at explanation using inadequate illustrations.
Pentecost expresses God's perpetual yearning for humans to share
his world-wide mission, and it emboldened the disciples to live
with diversity without fear, because God is love, and lovingly
reconciles humanity.
YESTERDAY, the Church celebrated Ascension Day, which sets the
theological context for this week's readings. Jesus, a forerunner
on our behalf, has entered heaven (Hebrews 6.20), taking with him
human nature.
IT IS WISE to pay attention to the questions in the Bible, which
often cut to the heart of things. This week there are two: "Can
these bones live?" and "Do you want to be made well?" Both ask
whether God can bring new, transforming life in a deadlocked
situation.
[Baruch 3.9-15, 32-4.4 or Genesis 22.1-18]; Acts 11.1-18;
Revelation 21.1-6; John 13.31-35
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus
Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting
life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put...
In this situation, Jesus was a model to the disciples of how
their shepherd was not afraid to face danger, and would not abandon
his calling in order to protect himself. He embodied the commitment
of a good shepherd who does not run away; no one would snatch them
out of his hand, or, indeed, from God's hand.
SINCE John tells us (John 20.30) that Jesus did many unrecorded
signs in the presence of his disciples, it raises the question why
he chose to record these in particular.
THOMAS has had a raw deal from history: defining him as
"Doubting Thomas" seems unfair if we look at his story more
closely.
At the foot of cross, Mary stood her ground, physically and
spiritually, only later being rejoined by the disciples who had
abandoned Jesus. It was at the cross that her true mettle, which
Gabriel's words had looked forward to, was revealed; that she had
found favour with God.
"Why do you look for the living among the dead?" is an ironic
question. On the face of it, it was a silly question, because the
women were seeking not the living among the dead, but the dead
among the dead. Nevertheless, Easter is a time to be faced with
supremely silly questions and situations, as we navigate the
unknown territory of resurrection.
ON Palm Sunday, we hear the Passion narrative in its entirety.
Luke's version bears some distinctive hallmarks, not least his
interest in the place of women and of prayer.