June 15, 2014 - Trinity Sunday A

Lectionary Readings

In the name of the most Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

          Sometimes, you’ll hear preachers lament about having to preach on Trinity Sunday. After all, it is the only Sunday of the Church year in which we focus on a doctrine instead of an event. And it doesn’t help that there is no direct reference to the Trinity anywhere in Scripture. But that doesn’t mean that today’s readings aren’t important. Sometimes the doctrine of the Trinity is glossed over and people will wonder “what difference does it make to me when I have cancer that God is three-in-one?” or “how does the Trinity affect my day to day life?” And these are valid and faithful questions.

June 8, 2014 - Pentecost A

Lectionary Readings

Descend, O Spirit, purging flame, brand us this day with Jesus’ name! Confirm our faith, consume our doubt; sign us as Christ’s within, without. Amen.

            One theologian said, “It is not that the Church has a mission to fulfill; but rather that God’s mission has a Church.” Too often though, we reverse it and obsess about finding our mission. Our Prayer Book states that “The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” I think that pretty well covers it. You might point to some passages from the Bible or quote Augustine or CS Lewis to further explain what the mission of the Church is. But however you explain it, the “what” of mission really isn’t that hard to figure out, it is the “how” that leaves us searching for answers.