June 7th, Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20
Make Disciples of all Nations Matthew 28:19
To talk about all nations is both about the large number and the diversity as well. It seems fitting that this be the gospel for Trinity Sunday. We talk about the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three in one. One God, but three aspects. The best metaphor for the Trinity was someone describing their favourite cherry pie. When the pie was cut into slices, the crust had a definite cut and showed a definite space between the slices, but the juicy filling of cherry all ran together.
The Trinity being more than one is a call to live out in our lives the diversity and inclusiveness as well. I have said before that there is the trinity in the summary of the law: to love God, love neighbour and love self.
What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?
You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honour; Psalm 8:5,6
This shows the love God has for all of us, to receive and pass on. This is a call to care for one and all.
Agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13;11
Then this diversity makes it harder to agree with one another, and we then tend to choose between peace and diversity, rather we tend to seek peace without justice. But is peace just the absence of a dispute?
This idea is usually the notion and expectation of the rich and powerful, however this is not the peace of Jesus calling us to make disciples of all nations, that all are included in the kingdom of heaven, the banquet where all have a seat at the table.
In Psalm 23:5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those
who trouble me; *
And yet from Genesis 1:31
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
This then is an ongoing, and not an easily fixed challenge. In other words, the mystery continues, the mystery of God. But we don’t fully understand God, but also our neighbours and if we are honest, ourselves as well. So our journey of faith is a journey of trying to understand God, neighbour and self.
Your may have other thoughts about this and you can e-mail me if you would like,
Blessings,
Bryce