SERMON 5/31/26 Trinity Sunday Pentecost 2A, St. Elizabeth, Richmond Hill

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20

Mike, Sarah and Baptism

For most of my priestly ministry I served as a Canon on a Bishop's staff.  However, my most fulfilling ministry was serving God's people in a parish.  I loved walking alongside folks in those difficult and liminal moments of life.  I especially loved helping young parents prepare for the baptism of their children.  I recall one couple in particular whose baptismal journey enriched and transformed my own personal faith journey, as well as my future service as a priest.   I remember vividly the day I met Mike and Sarah (mom and dad).  They visited the parish one Sunday morning with three little ones in tow (an infant boy and two gorgeous little girls).   We chatted briefly after the service at the coffee hour, where I learned they wanted their children baptized and asked if I would do that.  I resoundingly said, "Yes, but let's meet the following week so they might fully understand on what it was, they were embarking. 

            After the first meeting in my office, I learned that Mike and Sarah's parents were adamant the children be baptized. I also learned that Mike and Sarah had very little background in the Christian faith.  So, for a couple of months we six (mom/dad/me and the three little ones) met weekly at a local Starbucks to talk God, faith, and how to raise their kids to follow the Way of Jesus.  We talked about the salvation story of God found within scripture.  We dove into the stories of Jesus' ministry; his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, and how the hope of God's movement in that moment of incarnation forms and transforms our lives. 

            What was happening underneath our emerging friendship and exploration of God's love was Mike and Sarah were growing in their love of Jesus and they were being transformed.  They were learning so much, and at one point in our weekly meetings Mike asked, "Fr. Eric, I love what we are learning, and it is making so much sense, but can you please tell me what's up with this Trinity thing we talk about each week?  I am so confused."  I said, "Mike, don't feel bad even I do not fully understand it.  The Trinity one of the most misunderstood, and often confused, concepts in the Christian faith.  I added, "the most brilliant theologians have debated the Trinity for centuries." 

Icon and the Mystery of the Trinity

            I offered something to my new friends so they might understand the Trinity doctrine, so I printed and shared with them a picture of an Orthodox icon called Troitsa, also called The Hospitality of Abraham). It is an icon created by Russian painter Andrei Rublev in the early 15th century.   The icon originally depicts the three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak of Mamre (Genesis 18:1–8).  The painting is full of symbolism and some folks, interpret it as an icon of the Holy Trinity.  It is the icon on the cover of your bulleting this morning.  It depicts three figures seated around a table with a chalice at the center.

            The nature and substance of each character is distinct, but the same.  If you look closely, each face has the same form and features.  That characteristic points the mystery of unity and love of God as one in three/three in one.  Some scholars say that the left figure symbolizes God the Father who blesses the cup found on the table, yet his hand is painted at a distance, as if passing the cup to the central figure, who scholars say represents Jesus Christ.  The third figure represents the Holy Spirit, active, present and equal among us today and fully part of the Godhead.  Notice that three figures faces are all the same and yet, there are differences in nuances of color and style in the garments each of them wears.

             The Father wears Gold, but there are layers of the blue and brown found in the other two persons robes.  Likewise, the Son wear primarily brown (earth tone), but his is robes are nuanced with gold and blue.  Lastly, the Spirit has primarily blue as her garment, but there are also layers of gold and brown.  All three characters wear garments that are very different and yet, the share the same substance of color and function.   The outer garments points to the mysterious unity in God as one and yet, there exists a distinct diversity of person, a three-fold mystery of (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  You could overlook it, but one of the most beautiful features of this icon is found in the middle of the table and on the viewer's side.  Right there in the very middle of the life of God, awaits an empty seat.  It is as if  God invites us to sit down, join in, and become a part of and enter this holy life of God.   Unity within diversity begins in the very life of God, but it extends beyond.

Creation's Diversity

            Even God's creation is a rich tapestry of dissimilar creatures living in harmony, and all for the good of the common life shared.  Have you ever considered the tapestry of life around you?  Just look at the plant and animal life in our local South Georgia: the vast ocean near rivers and streams, pine trees alongside palm trees, sea turtles and alligators, Red Tail Hawks and White-Tailed Deer, Honeybees and Swallow Tail butterflies, Swamp Sunflowers and Hibiscus. The multiplicity of fauna and wildlife makes our backyards a beautiful place to live.

            However, imagine if we vilified any one of these beautiful creatures and claimed because they are different that they have no place in our eco-system. We would thwart God's work of creation placed here for all to enjoy and for each one to benefit and thrive.   In the world today, many are determined to silence viewpoints, diminish the importance of cultures, and vilify the very existence of some Children of God who just happen to be different from themselves.  Think about it, some are disparaging the very beauty of humanity that God has created.

E Plurbus Unum

            Are you familiar with the Latin phrase, "E Pluribus Unum"?  It is the unofficial national motto of the United States and is widely featured on U.S. currency. It means, "out of many, one." More to the point, it means out of many diverse communities, neighborhoods, cultures, languages, and races, this nation is united in a mysterious way not found in many other nations on earth.  We are founded as a diverse people, united so we might become an icon of human hope for the world. 

            Unlike other nations, we are not unified by a common race, culture, or ideology.  We are a nation of diversity brought together in unity, but that union is being unraveled by divisiveness and a failure to celebrate our uniqueness.  We see a loosening of unity happening in our families, our associations, and our friendships.  Unity in diversity is not some sentimental concept that we merely hope for, it is a reality that already exists in God and all around us.  It is the Way of Jesus.

Baptismal Promises

            We embrace the Way and it is grounded in the promises we make or were made on our behalf at our baptism.  We promise, "I will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves."  We promise, "I will strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being." 

            So, how do you think are we doing with keeping those promises made by us or on our behalf?  We have work to do, right?  Jesus lived a life of love and self-giving acceptance, so radical so that we might know the very nature of loving neighbor and loving God.  Simply stated, Jesus showed us that we must reject the pursuit of power for our benefit at the cost of others.  Real power of the Way of Jesus is not found in sword or violence, but it is fully wielded in love, a willingness to die for a friend, or to stand naked and afraid before those who would seek to destroy us.

The True Master of Our Lives

            Mike and Sarah understood and began living life anew, and it all began in a little coffee shop where we wrestled with the life transforming Way of Jesus.  They discovered the way of love and not a pursuit.  Their little family became icons of love in a world fraught with a never-ending pursuit of power and influence.   Jesus taught us a different way ... the way of self-giving love ... the way of compassion ... the way of empathy ... and the way of mutual affection found in the Trinity itself. 

            Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." On the cross, Jesus did not succumb to the human desire to say, "Look at me," or resort to retaliation, destruction, nor did he try to quieten those, with whom his mission came in conflict.  Jesus said, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do."  Jesus could have left the cross, brought down destruction on the religious and political system that convicted and crucified him.  He could have undermined the political Roman system of injustice and established his reign, but he did not.  But he took the path of love.  He demonstrated that real power is love and he remained faithful to his mission grounded in that mutual love found in the Trinitarian life of God. 

            Jesus, the true Master of Our Lives, the true leader of the mission of the "community of the way" is not only a mascot we claim, but he is our Lord, our guide and the very example we are called to emulate.  I believe when we let go of our pursuit of power over others, and follow the Way, we will be Icons of hope for a world that really needs us today. 

The Gift

            Rublev's Icon was more than a mere talking point for Mike, Sarah and their little family of Followers of the Way.  The baptism for those children was held in a packed church in South Florida.  It was a glorious celebration of three new young Christians entering the family of God.  However, after the service had ended and coffee hour was complete, I walked to my office in silence.  Mike and Sarah had not left and came by my office to say so long.  Mike thanked me and handed me a wrapped package.  He then said, "Sarah, kids and I want to give you a gift."  It was a canvas print of Rublev's icon, which he said they too now have hanging in their dining room. It reminds them of that holy table at which they have dinner every night.   He added, "Fr. Eric thank you for all you've done and don't worry, we will be here next Sunday and each one thereafter." 

            That icon hangs in my study at home today as it did in every office, I occupied throughout my ministry.  It reminds me every day that we all have a seat at God's table.  ALL OF US!  It reminds me that there is no unity, without loving, celebrating and accepting the nuances of unique beauty found in ALL people.  It reminds me what Jesus prayed, “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."  That they also may be in us ....

Mission

            There are many seats at that table to which God invites.  That place is not an exclusive seat to which some are included, and some are not.  People of many cultures, backgrounds, and nuanced distinctions are invited.  Those you think are less than, not good enough, or different from you are invited.  ALL are INVITED!  We may be different we humans, but we are all sisters and brothers under God; Children of God.  How beautiful and amazing it is, this God-given unity found within a beautiful diversity of life.  Rublev's icon is just one simple image that points to the inner life of God.  As you look back on it today, please never forget, "There is a seat at this table waiting for you ... and for all creation. It is not ready someday. It awaits right now. For all of God's creation. Please, come and sit down for the feast."