Trinity Sunday – May 27, 2018

Deut 4:32-34,39-40 Ps. 33: 4-6,9, 18-22 Romans 8:14-17 Matthew 28:16-20

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In the reading from Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the people and reminds them of all the wonders that their God has done for them from Creation up to the present time. He reminds them of the times they were saved from their enemies, how they were freed from the bondage of slavery and called to follow the laws that would put them in right relationship with God and with one another. They are reminded that this God is one who will love and protect them for all times.

 

Psalm 33 follows with the promise that God loves justice and right and will show kindness and faithfulness to those who hope for life in God.

 

In the letter to the Romans, Paul continues this theme of a God who leads the people out of slavery and who indeed is their “Abba, God” . The Spirit of Jesus is a witness to our connection to Creator God and his Spirit releases us from fear and promises that we are truly family members who will suffer but also be glorified as Jesus lived and died as one of us.

 

Matthew ends his gospel with the eleven disciples in Galilee awaiting the arrival of Jesus after the resurrection. Despite their joy at seeing him again, it was difficult for some to believe this was truly a reality and not a dream. Jesus comes to them and gives them a sacred commission to do what he had done and to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and take that message to all nations of the world. He promises to remain with them forever.

 

Each of these readings point to the eternal “dance of God” giving life, hope, love and rebirth to all creation. We share in this “dance” of connectedness and delight, of faithfulness and hope, of unity and inclusivity. If we stop and look around us we are surrounded by the beauties of creation. Those who have learned of Jesus, have seen how much God yearned to walk with us as human persons. Jesus does exactly that. He experiences what it means to be truly human; the good and the bad of it. He doesn’t pretend to be human but responds to the fullness that each of us is called to. He continues to walk with us now in our pain, our doubts, our fears, our sufferings, our joys and hopes. His Spirit is felt throughout our world wherever there are those who reach out in loving kindness, in justice, in compassion, working for peace and forgiveness among individuals and among nations. We also participate in this mystery as we sense a loving God whose message comes clearly to us in the scriptures and whose Spirit is obvious in those who spread the good news by their lives.

 

Last weekend I watched the Royal Wedding in England and I felt a real sense of the Trinity present in that liturgy: the powerful message of love, of unity, of inclusivity, of harmony, of newness in creation.

 

I felt it was a message to the world community so in need of hope, and love for our neighbors in great distress and pain from war, famine, illnesses and oppression. It was a real sign for many of hope.

 

For reflection: Is there a way to recognize that we are part of the “dance” of the Trinity? Can we see that we are called to be part of that circle of life, of friendship, of relationship that is never ending?

 

This week’s teaching commentary was prepared by

Mary Louise Chesley-Cora, MAT in Religious Studies

Hockessin,  Delaware,  USA

Bat Kol  Alumna 2001

Email:  chezcor@msn.com

[Copyright © 2018]

 

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PLEASE NOTE: The weekly Gospel commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their authors, and are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Sunday Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol.  Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome.

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 ~~1983–2018~~

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

“Christians Studying the Bible within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.”

Website: www.batkol.info   gill@batkol.info