Trinity Sunday B | Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; John 3:1-17

St. Peter’s, Perth Amboy, NJ

Today is Trinity Sunday. Looking back a few weeks, we’ve had some big moments lately – the Ascension (the day Jesus gave the great commission and then disappeared from their sight). Of course last Sunday we celebrated the Day of Pentecost, the unleashing of the Holy Spirit in a new way, what we sometimes call the birthday of the Church. So these disciples have become apostles, sent out into the world, empowered by the Spirit.

Traditionally, this Sunday, the very first Sunday in the rest of the calendar of the Church year, has been set aside to consider and, yes, celebrate the doctrine of the Trinity.

Now, if you ask your average Episcopalian, “What is the Holy Trinity?”, even some of the youngest would reply, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” (or “Holy Ghost” if you’re an old-school, Rite I fan). But, if you then said, “Tell me more! What does it all mean?” I think the reply would get a bit less certain and a bit more confusing. You might even hear those magical words, “Ask a priest!”

The questions and confusion are real. Do we believe in three Gods or one God? When Jesus died on the cross, did God die too? And where did the Spirit come from? Lots of questions and plenty of chances to get things “wrong”. Or at least “wrong” according to certain theologians.

So here I am, ready to explain it all to you in just a few minutes time. No… The truth is that most clergy aren’t enthusiastic when it comes to trying to explain a complex doctrine like the Trinity outside a seminary classroom with the doors shut tight.

Today is also traditionally known as, “The rector gets the deacon to preach” Sunday. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in this morning’s gospel come back to haunt us a bit, “Are you a teacher, and yet you do not understand these things?”

Why is it such a complex topic? Because Christians have made it complex. We have fought over it and divided over it for almost our entire history, like many other issues. Just when a preacher or theologian thinks they have come up with the perfect illustration or metaphor, there’s someone else waiting to shoot it down. “Wrong!” Many theologians who have tried to solve the mystery once and for all have wound up being accused of heresy. Some were even killed for it!

Some people have turned to nature for their illustrations. St. Patrick used the three-leaf clover. Others have used the illustration of water in its three states as liquid, vapor, and steam. But in the end NONE of these illustrations can perfectly help us wrap our limited human brains around such an incredible and beautiful mystery. We keep trying.

Have you ever seen a small child tear apart a beautiful flower in an attempt to learn how it is put together? In the end she’s left with the parts of the flower, but the beauty has been lost. When we learn to enjoy beauty in its natural form, whether earthly or divine, we can begin to live into that beauty and that mystery. Can we admire the beauty and the mystery of God’s nature without needing to tear it apart?

One way I use to illustrate the beauty and complexity of the Trinity is what is called a Celtic knot. It is an ancient design. We enjoy them for their beauty, but have you ever tried to draw one? It takes real attention to detail. And it might not turn out to be perfect. The complexity is both beautiful and inviting.

There is mystery here and beauty, not just a simple idea. So symbols and strict doctrine aren’t complete solutions, at least to my mind.

What I find most helpful, as is often the case for me, are the stories of our faith. We heard one this morning – this encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus.

Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. We aren’t told why Nicodemus comes at night, but the writer of John’s gospel makes sure to note it. Is Nicodemus afraid of being seen with Jesus? He’s a religious leader after all. Some have put a more poetic spin on it – night is a time of mystery and I don’t know about you but I usually have my most interesting conversations at the end of the day.
Whatever the reason for his timing, here we are. Nicodemus is filled with questions. He comes to Jesus and, by the end, he seems even more confused, based on his questions. He’s still missing the point. What Jesus is telling him was hard to understand, you must be born from above. What? This was new. This is news.

“The wind blows where it chooses…so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus uses their sacred stories to help – remember what happened when Moses lifted up the serpent in order to bring life to the dying? That’s going to happen again! Of course no one, not Nicodemus, not the disciples, would believe Jesus whenever he described his coming death. But Jesus continued to tell them. Jesus is describing this coming, monumental turning point in the story of God’s people. Something big is about to happen. The biggest. I don’t think we can fault them too much for scratching their heads. What do you mean, Jesus?

“Who will go for us?” “Whom shall I send?” More questions. Isaiah hears them while he is standing in the throne room of God. He is terrified! I am unclean! He is in the presence of not just a holy God but a God who is three times holy! We quote this passage every time we celebrate the Eucharist – Holy, Holy, Holy!

Isaiah is in God’s presence. The whole place is shaking! Isaiah is terrified! But, he’s still watching and he’s still listening.
“I am unclean” he protests. So God takes care of that – the seraph purges Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal – aren’t you glad that didn’t make it into the Book of Common Prayer’s confession liturgy?

Isaiah is made clean, but that’s not the end of the story. That’s just the beginning. “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” God is looking for a prophet, and Isaiah steps forward.

In the temple of the Lord, all are crying “Glory!”

This morning we say, “Glory!” We say, “Holy!”

In the presence of the beautiful mystery of the Trinity, we say “Holy!” We say, “Glory!”

But the Holy Spirit part of this holy, glorious Trinity did not come to warm the room up and add some special effects to make worship more interesting.

No, the Holy Spirit empowers us for service. The Holy Spirit came to the apostles (and Mary, who was in the room) because they had work to do! They had their marching orders already. Jesus told them to “Go!” And not just down the street, but into the whole world! Get out of your neighborhood. Get out of your town. Go! Into all the world. By the way here are some other languages you might want to learn!

Later today, we’ll be gathering in the historic baptistry back there to welcome a new member of the household of God. The church is growing, and your doors are open to welcome them.

As you begin your journey forward together, remember these stories together. We hear these amazing stories of God’s people in those first, world shaking days of the Church. We are still God’s people. The Spirit is still moving. Jesus still calls us to go! Amen.