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The Wisdom of the Body
The Word became flesh and made his home among us. —John 1:14, CEB This month the Read More
Steve Harper | Read John 16:12-15
Today is Trinity Sunday. The Holy Trinity is Christianity’s most distinctive offering to religion about the nature and activity of God. We struggle to explain the doctrine fully, but God reveals it to us clearly. Today’s reading serves as one example of its revelation: In just two verses, the Son references the work of the Spirit and the dominion of the Father.
Trinity Sunday helps us wrap up our exploration of God’s delight, for in the various daily readings we have read how each person of the Trinity reveals God’s delight in us. The readings in Psalms and Proverbs refer us to God. In Romans, Paul opens the lens wider to include “our Lord Jesus Christ.” And the Gospel lesson describes the actions and relationships of all three persons of the Trinity.
This means the whole Godhead delights in us. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together. God’s delight does not vary from one member of the Trinity to the next. Through and through we are God’s delight.
The Trinity’s symbiosis is important. Some Christians feel “closer” to one person of the Trinity than another. But we end our meditations this week knowing we do not have to pick and choose. God’s delight is found comprehensively in the Trinity. God’s steadfast love surrounds us and sustains us.
Meditation: Approach each person of the Trinity in your heart. What do you want to say to the Father about God's delight in you? To the Son? To the Spirit? Perhaps you might end up singing the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” or at least this much, “God in three persons, blessed Trinity” (umh, no. 64).
In our society we often privilege intellect and expertise. However, in Proverbs we read that God values wisdom. Wisdom has been present since the beginning, and some early theologians understand this Wisdom to be none other than the Son of God. Part of wisdom is understanding our place in the universe. The psalmist marvels at the vast display of God’s power in the heavens yet also recognizes that humans are a manifestation of God’s glory. The New Testament readings invoke the Trinity as we approach Trinity Sunday. Paul says that we have peace with God through Christ, and we are given the Holy Spirit. In John, Jesus Christ has received everything from the Father, and the Spirit will guide his followers into all truth.
Read Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31. When have you heard God calling out to you?
Read Psalm 8. The author reminds us that our shortcomings are not because we are only human, but because we fall short of our humanity. How do you strive to be more human—a little lower than God?
Read Romans 5:1-5. How do you allow God’s peace to calm you when you feel your life swirling around you?
Read John 16:12-15. To which person of the Trinity do you feel “closest”? How can you develop your relationship with the other two persons?
Respond by posting a prayer.
