Crowned with Glory and Honor

The celebration continues. Perhaps it is hard to see much to celebrate in what is essentially a doctrinal observance. Yet, the writer of Psalm 8 finds much to enjoy in the contemplation of who God is. And the writer even manages to find reasons to feel good about the human condition in the light of this God with the majestic name. In worship, we celebrate God who makes Godself known to us in myriad ways. In the end, that is the joy of the doctrine of the Trinity. Whether we can fully grasp the nuanced theological understanding of what Trinity means, we can acknowledge that, in part, it means that God wants to be known and experienced by those who claim the majestic name of God as sovereign. We give thanks for an accessible God.

We also bask in the blessings that have been bestowed upon all creation and upon the human beings given honor and responsibility for creation. We don’t claim this as a special gift that only we partake but see it as our opportunity to lift others into a new knowledge of their status and opportunities within human community. Our intercessions include the hope that the world might know that they are loved and claimed and given a home in the fellowship of believers. This is the wisdom Proverbs 8 speaks of and has been the intention of God from the beginning of creation.

In Romans 5, Paul invites us to see this blessing as the means to thrive in a complicated world. Even in the midst of suffering, we might find ways to grow, to be shaped and strengthened in transformative ways. Of course, we continue to pray for suffering to end for us and for people everywhere. No one seeks suffering. But we also pray, in the face of suffering, for an awareness of the presence of the Triune God and, through that presence, to know grace and to grow character and hope. Again, those among us with a story to tell of endurance should be given space to testify to the power of God at work in their lives. Through this testimony, we can acknowledge and give thanks for the continued journey to discipleship as we grow in grace with God.

Trinity Sunday is about God. But the God we worship is a God who chooses to be known in relationship, and therefore, it is about us as well. Trinity Sunday is not about the concept of God, but the experience of God. For that, we give thanks and praise.