SERMON FOR TRINITY SUNDAY—JUNE 15, 2025

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In Greensboro, North Carolina

Theologians in the early Church spoke of the Most Holy Trinity as a “mystery.” In doing so, they were not suggesting that the Trinity was an intellectual “riddle” or “puzzle” to be deciphered, unraveled or explained. In fact, their words suggest quite the opposite—mystery is an invitation to explore, discover, and experience.

Interestingly enough, the same word, “Mysterion” in Greek was translated into Latin as “Sacramentum,” or “Sacrament.” To claim that the Holy Trinity is Sacramental is to suggest that an experience of the Trinity has the power to be life-altering, life-changing, and utterly transformative.

These words were written with great humility. They acknowledged that greatness of God and the limitations of humanity. God is so beyond our ability to understand and to comprehend that even the words we use fail to adequately describe the reality, the essence, the nature of God. And so, rather than attempting to explain or articulate, they concluded that we are best invited to contemplate who and what God is—for us!

Even so, there are occasionally exceptional theologians who give us some insight which we had previously lacked—who enable us to think in a new way. One of my favorites is the amazing German Jesuit, Karl Rahner. In a fascinating and thought-provoking article having to do with the “ontology of the symbol,” Rahner explained in as simple, direct, and helpful way—as I have yet to discover, a radically different way to think about God. Here I am paraphrasing in my own simplistic way a powerful, complex, and profound insight.

God, Rahner tells us, can best be understood as the fullest expression of love. God is love. A love that is so powerful, so fertile, so self-giving that God chooses to be real, effective, and present. In so doing, God reaches out in an act of love that completely changes and transforms love. In that act of self-less and generative love, the Eternal Son of God, Jesus, the Christ, is engendered (as the Creed explains clearly, “is begotten, not created). The Son, in turn, loves the Father with an all-encompassing love. That reciprocal love between the Father and the Son is the Holy Spirit.

So, the Holy Trinity could be best thought of as a Community of Love. It was, perhaps, this insight which caused our former Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry to say so often, “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.”

Rather than thinking of this as a nice thought, or perhaps a platitude, it is a shocking invitation to enter into that love, to be transformed by that love, to be empowered by that love—and to imitate it by becoming a source, a channel of love. Really, this is at the heart of our Baptismal Covenant. Because God has so fully, and totally loved us, we are called to become a People of Love-a Beloved Community. A Community that so loves, and is so loving that it welcomes the wounded, and helps them to move towards healing and wholeness. A Community that sees a broken world, and works for justice, forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation.

In such a Community we see

-the sin of racial hatred and racism and say, “No, we reject that and will work to overcome it.”

-the sin of misogyny, the exploitation and devaluation of women, and say, “No, we reject that and will work to overcome it.”

-the sin of homophobia, transphobia, and violence against our LGBTQIA Siblings and say, “No, we reject that and will work to overcome it.”

-the sin of xenophobia, mistreatment, abuse, and exploitation of immigrants, migrants, and refugees, and say, “No, we reject that and will work to overcome it.”

-the sin of Anti-Judaism, Islamophobia, bigotry, and intolerance, and say, “No, we reject that and will work to overcome it.”

-the sin of marginalizing, excluding, belittling, or “othering” of any beloved person created in the image and likeness of God, and say, “No, we reject that and will work to overcome it.”

The invitation to become an authentic Beloved Community is one that challenges us to give witness-through words, but more importantly, through action. It reminds us that, if we really are incorporated into the very life of the Most Holy Trinity through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist, we must put our faith into action. That requires some courage. The Greek word of “witness” is “martyria.” From it we derive the English word, “martyr.” To be a witness does not necessarily mean that we will be asked to die for the faith we profess. But, it does mean that we will be willing to accept that there will be push-back, intolerance, and perhaps even encounter violence.

Yesterday, I traveled to Lexington, to the Davidson County Courthouse to join the national Protest against unjust and immoral policies and actions taken by our government. In doing so, I intentionally stated that I joined with our Latino Sisters and Brothers who most recently have experienced profiling, discrimination, racial hatred, and violence. We have been called to reach out, especially to recent arrivals (migrants, refugees, and travelers)—as well as those whose families have been in this country for generations—including many whose families were already present here in what is now the United States generations before the first settlers from England arrived—with love, care, and welcome.

I honestly had no idea what to expect, and so traveled to Lexington with some nervousness, and even fear. I knew that I would be one small witness in a large arena. To my delight, it was a wonderful experience. Several hundred people gathered to peacefully protest. There was a joyous spirit in those gathered. To my delight, they were kind and gentle—even, for example, when a lady, driving by, rolled down her window and cursed us, using shocking and vicious profane words. She told us that we would be going to hell for our actions! The amazing thing is that she was the exception! Many people cheered us, beeped their horns in support, and waved at us. Truly, this encouraged me and gave me hope!

Our celebration today of the Most Holy Trinity reminds us that God is love! May that love fill our hearts, transform our lives, and empower us to become loving people who truly care for every person we encounter.

A final note—today is Father’s Day. So, we also acknowledge and celebrate the gift of Fatherhood. We pray in thanksgiving for faithful and loving Fathers, Grandfathers, Stepfathers, Foster Fathers, Godfathers, Uncles, Mentors, and for all who take the place of Fathers in the lives of children. We ask God to bless them in their vocation, and to encourage them to be supportive, affirming, caring, and truly loving with those who have been entrusted to their care.