Trinity A 2026

THE REV. E. WAYNE ROLLINS

​ Whole sections of libraries are filled with books about the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Another section in church history covers the Councils of Nicaea and Chalcedon. If you don’t mind, I won’t read those to you right now. 

Here’s what you might find helpful: we best understand the doctrine of the Trinity when we think of it as a relationship more than as an identity. I say that because it’s better to think of the Holy Trinity as a reciprocal living being than as three separate persons somehow also being one, even though that is also true. 

God the Father and Creator is One with Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ, the Redeemer, who is also one in and with God. The Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, is one with and in each and both of those who are also one in and with the Spirit. That same Spirit is the presence of God and Christ in and with us as we worship, pray, and continue the work of creation, reconciliation, and redemption in our own time. 

Got that? It will be on the final. 

It’s a dance between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit with all three leading as one, and in step with each other. It’s a dance that we all join as we gather to worship, pray, and work together. We’re still working on getting the steps just right, and occasionally step on our own toes as well as someone else’s. 

When we get that, we understand that the dance party isn’t just for or about us. Our life in Christ is to stop trying to be the belle of the ball, but instead to be a living invitation to those who have a desire to attend, but think they lack the correct shoes. And in case someone comes to the door with no shoes at all, be ready with a basin and towel and make sure they have clean feet. 
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And when we get that, it’s time to get down and boogie.