Last Sunday was Pentecost, which is the end of the Easter Season. Christ has been resurrected and ascended and has sent the Holy Spirit to his disciples. We see this day as the birthday of the church. Today is the First Sunday after Pentecost, which starts a new season – After Pentecost, or “Ordinary Time.” This season lasts for the rest of this lectionary or church year. A new church year will start with the First Sunday of Advent, which this year is November 29th.
This First Sunday after Pentecost is traditionally celebrated as “Trinity Sunday.” This is the day where we focus in worship on the three Persons of the Holy Trinity of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – three Persons, one God. John Wesley referred to Him as our “Three-One God.” The Trinity has been celebrated down through the centuries, but began to have a special Sunday seven hundred years ago. It is commemorated by the Catholic. Lutheran, Reformed, and Methodist churches.
Our readings for this Sunday include the following, which may be viewed online here.
- Matthew 28:16-20
- Genesis 1:1-2:4a
- Psalm 8
- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew closes his gospel with the five verses of the Great Commission. He sends his followers then and now out to all the world to make disciples, teach them his commandments of love, and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Genesis 1:1-2:4 tells us the Story of Creation, beginning with the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters of Chaos. The work is completed in six days, with the seventh being a day of rest. Creation reaches its climax in the creation of humans, made in his image, who are called to govern, take care of, and tend to the rest of creation.
Psalm 8 praises God, our Creator and King, who has made us to look over all other creatures.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul ends his painful letter to the Corinthians with warnings, peace and love. Verse 14 winds it up with blessings from the Holy Trinity: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Amen!